Petrol and diesel cars have been the default in this country since automobiles were first made available to the public. Obviously, it makes sense then that this is what you are used to. However, with the ban on the sale of new traditional fuel vehicles looming and an increasing interest in greener technology, a lot of people are exploring the possibility that an electric car might be the way to go. This is why we have put together the following guide. Let’s get into it.
Electric Cars Explained
Arguably, electric cars are pretty self-explanatory. Instead of a traditional internal combustion engine, electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor. The motor of an electric vehicle gets its power from rechargeable batteries. There tend to be three different forms of electric vehicles: battery, fuel cell and extended range.
Battery electric vehicles are arguably the most basic and, therefore, the most common. Fuel cell electric vehicles are also known as hydrogen cars; liquid hydrogen is converted to electrical energy. Lastly, extended-range electric vehicles work similarly to battery electric, but they tend to have a small combustion engine on board too. Going from a traditional car to an electric car can be a challenge; luckily, ElectriX has a switching to an electric car guide which can prove to be incredibly important.
Definition Of A Hybrid
In addition to electric vehicles, there are also hybrids which help to marry electric vehicles and traditional cars. There tend to be two forms of hybrid vehicles: the self-charging models and the plug-in models. The plug-ins, as the name would suggest, need to be charged traditionally in order to use the electric-only driving mode. Self-charging models have their batteries charged when driving.
The Pros & Cons
There are several pros and cons to electric vehicles. Firstly, they tend to cost less to run; they are better for the environment and, therefore, exempt from clean air zones. You can also take advantage of any number of government grants to make the initial cost more affordable. Hybrids are a great option as well since they miss a number of the pitfalls that electric vehicles fall into.
That being said, electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase initially, and this is a huge drawback for a lot of people. Without an at-home charger, they can also be tricky to charge. Lastly, the mileage range can be limiting depending on the model that you choose, so be sure to read up on this before purchasing.
To Sum Up
Truthfully, if you can afford to purchase an electric vehicle and you can find one that suits your needs and lifestyle, then it is well worth making the switch from traditional cars. They are cheaper to run, and you are future-proofing your interest now as opposed to being forced to make the switch later. They are also far better for the environment. Lastly, it is worth noting that hybrids will not be subject to the same restrictions, and if you want to ease into the world of sustainable living, then a hybrid vehicle is a great compromise between the two.
