With India aspiring to reach 100% use of electric vehicles, we cannot help but wonder where we stand concerning e-mobility and how we plan to achieve 100 % acceptance towards electric vehicles in India. As Electric Vehicular News in India notes that ours is among those nations in the world that seems to be slow in accepting the use of electric vehicles, and many factors are holding back the much-needed evolution and adaption of the automobile industry. Also, knowledge about electric cars and what they are capable of is rather limited, so first, these misconceptions need to be addressed.
We’ve attempted to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of owning an electric car in India from the standpoint of the customers as well as companies manufacturing EVs. If you’re uncertain of switching from your petrol or diesel engine to an electric vehicle, here are some pros and cons of owning an electric car to consider how they would apply to your life.
Compared to petrol or diesel vehicles, there are plenty of reasons to opt for an electric car. Let’s have a look at what electric cars do for you and your surroundings.
Better For The Environment
With air pollution and carbon levels in the air rising at an alarming rate, it is time we started considering the effect all our machines are having on our environment. Since electric cars virtually have no exhaust systems, they produce zero emissions. While petrol and diesel vehicles contribute massively to the build-up of greenhouse gases, electric cars are environmentally friendly and help create a healthier planet.
Electricity Is Less Expensive Than Gas
While petrol and diesel rates rise enough to cause concern among vehicle owners, owners of electric cars are one trouble short. Since electric cars run solely on electricity, and electricity being more affordable than petrol or diesel prices, running an electric car is a lot easier. Since most people charge their electric cars at home, one might even consider setting up a few solar panels that cut the price even further and also power the entire house.
In conventional vehicles, the cost of maintaining the vehicle includes all the nitty-gritty issues to the larger upkeep. With an electric car, this is not the case. Since they have lesser moving parts, they are less likely to break down than petrol or diesel engines. Even the cost of maintaining an electric car is much lesser compared to conventional cars because they are of lighter design and are less likely to break down. Electric cars work with regenerative brakes and other parts last much longer than petrol or diesel cars.
They Are Quieter
No one needs reminding how much we appreciate a smoother and quieter driving environment. Irrespective of whether the engine is big or small, petrol and diesel cars can create quite a racket, especially during rush hour. In the absence of an engine, an electric car does not have any sound of its own. These cars are so silent that manufacturers are considering installing a false noise to signal a pedestrian that a car is near them.
Potential For Tax Cuts
In an attempt to encourage the use of electric vehicles, the government is offering incentives and subsidies and granting reductions on motor taxes. While the overall cost of buying an electric car might seem more expensive than a petrol or diesel car, the fact is that these cars practically pay for themselves over time.
Minimal maintenance, attractive price offers, reductions on taxes, sustainable systems and a much comfortable driving experience is what you can look forward to on your purchase of an electric car.
There is always a flip side to things, and it would be unfair to discuss one without the other. While electric cars have their uses, they also have their fair share of challenges. Here are some of the drawbacks to choosing an electric car.
Shorter Driving Ranges
Compared to petrol or diesel engines, most electric cars are considered to cover shorter distances on a single charge. Range anxiety is a very real thing for users, especially when we speak of longer distances. On average, most electric cars only have a usable range of about 400-450 km when charged to 100%. While electric cars work great for shorter commutes, there is a lot of scope for improvement when it comes to their limited range.
Longer Charging Time
For those of you who are used to just filling fuel, you need to know this- charging an electric car takes much longer and can eat into your plans and investment. Most electric cars take around 6-8 hours to charge up to 80% from a fully depleted point.
In India, the inaccessibility of charging stations are another cause of worry, especially if you are driving through long stretches of rural lands. In a sense, this strikes down one point for the versatility of EVs in the Indian context.
Steep Initial Investment
The cost of buying a petrol or diesel car is significantly lower than buying an electric one. The sticker price is enough to shock potential customers away, but the fact is that electric cars are owned much cheaper than conventional cars because of lower maintenance.
What’s more, since the concept of EVs in India is still forming, the availability of electric car models can be dicey depending on where you live.
As we speak of lack of availability, we also need to consider that there are fewer ways to customize and choose the aesthetics for your electric car. This situation however has been improving, with a lot more models being released than before- especially by reputed car manufacturers. With more people opting for electric cars hopefully, the production will also increase, leading to a larger number of variants and options to choose from.
Lack Of Service Stations
Since the number of electric car owners is much lesser compared to petrol or diesel vehicle owners, there is a lack of service stations in cities. This is a cause of concern as customers feel more confident buying a car that is provided reliable and timely assistance for.
Most of us may not know that electric cars have been around since 1832. It is only recently that manufacturers have realized its true potential. Apart from concerns regarding charging time and range, electric cars are a much better option than petrol or diesel engines today. These concerns are also likely to be addressed as the manufacturing process evolves.
Buying or switching to an electric car can be an overwhelming decision, so consider your needs and available resources, and do thorough research on the options available in the market.