The Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

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Cons

They’re typically more expensive upfront

Electric vehicles may have a higher initial cost when compared to traditional cars. To offset this amount, you may find certain tax advantages or federal incentives to help with initial costs. However, if you can stand the initial out-of-pocket expenses, you may save money in the long run by spending less on maintenance and fuel for your vehicle. 

“Refueling” takes longer 

While running out of fuel may only require a gas-operated car to stop off at any fuel station, that convenience is not necessarily afforded for electric vehicles. Even quick charging stations can take 30 minutes to refuel a car- and even that is not full capacity. Downgrading to a level 1 or level 2 charger can mean somewhere in the range of 8 hours to fully charge. Make sure to keep this in mind when looking at electric vehicles.

When it comes to high voltage systems, repairs may be more expensive in the long run.

Hybrid vehicles may require less ongoing maintenance when compared to standard, gas-powered vehicles. However, when they do need repairs, you can expect that it may cost more. If the issue lies with your car’s high voltage system, replacements can be very expensive. In addition, electric vehicles have many complex components which can make repairs pricey.

Pros

Electric and Hybrid cars may be more environmentally-friendly

Many people are drawn to electric and hybrid vehicles as they’re a better environmental choice. Hybrid cars offer better fuel efficiency, reducing the amount of fuel needed. Furthermore, they produce less CO2 emissions which have a negative impact on our environment. As hybrid and electric cars use a battery pack, this helps reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. 

Range 

Though lower end electric vehicles will not put up the same range numbers as more luxury models, there are plenty of electric vehicles that can travel 300 miles on a full charge. Traditional gas operated vehicles will average about 300 miles on a full tank but this can obviously vary depending on a number of factors with the vehicles. With all other factors remaining equal though, it is certainly an advantage to drive the same distance but without stopping off for gas!

Low effort maintenance 

Hybrid vehicles use a high-voltage battery pack, electric motor, and ICE to propel the vehicle. This means the engine may not experience the same wear and tear as a standard car. Although if one of these fails it can become expensive, less regular maintenance means fewer repairs and fewer routine maintenance trips and attention on a regular basis. Of course, this depends on the make and model of your specific electric vehicle. But less trips to the auto repair shop is certainly a benefit to consider! 

Higher resale value

Recently, the notable increase in gas prices has made people more interested in fuel-efficient cars. As such, more people are beginning to have an interest in hybrid and electric cars too. This could mean your hybrid can attract a higher resale value, giving you a better return on your investment than a standard, gas-powered vehicle.

Why Choose an Electric Car?

Drivers who opt to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle model enjoy a wide range of benefits. By choosing an EV, you:

• Cut down on fuel costs and gain independence of fuel price fluctuations
• Reduce your carbon footprint and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle
• Take advantage of multiple federal and state incentives

Currently, EVs and plug-in hybrids manufactured starting from 2010 may qualify for a substantial federal tax credit in addition to state and local incentives.

 Auto Fuel Costs are Out of Control. Offset your gas bill with solar panels, EV charging

Currently, auto fuel costs around the country are strikingly high. If you’ve found your gas bill is just too high, an electric vehicle may be worth considering. You can save money in the long run by spending less on fuel. For people who travel frequently or have to commute to work, this may be especially helpful.

The increasing efficiency and speed of manufacturing electric vehicles will eventually lead to them becoming more affordable. This, combined with the constantly rising price of gasoline, has caused a surge in the popularity of electric vehicles as people seek to save money in the long run. Alternative fuels are becoming a highly desirable choice for many individuals.

Source: EV Speedy

Using solar energy to charge hybrid electric vehicles

 Most auto manufacturers agree: The future belongs to electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV). Florida drivers currently operate around 58,000 electric vehicles – the second-highest number of EVs nationwide, after California.

Whether you already have an electric car or plan to purchase one in the future, a solar car charging outlet is a wise long-term investment. SEM Power offers sustainable, cost-efficient solar car charging solutions in Tampa, Florida.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Charge My Electric Car?

Most EVs average about 3 to 4 miles of range per kWh of electricity stored in the vehicle’s battery. This example will use 3 miles of range per kWh. Let’s assume a person has a 30-mile commute every day, that would mean that if the homeowner wants to charge at home every night they would need 10 kWh of electricity to re-charge, or 50 kWh per week, 200 kWh per month, or 2,400 kWh for a 7,800-mile commute per year. 

Another way to calculate it would be to assume that you drive your car a total of 12,000 miles per year, which is equivalent to consuming 4,000 kWh per year. This is the number we will use to calculate the size of the required solar panel array.

The industry standard to obtain the solar panel photovoltaic (PV) system size you need for a specific production is to divide the annual kWh consumption by a coefficient of 1.5.

Using these numbers in our equation, 4,000 kWh/1.5 = 2.67 kW PV system size.

SEM Power’s go-to solar panel is the Silfab 370 watt Prime panel. This is the panel we will use for our example below.

2.67kW PV total system size / 355w panels = 7.5 panels. So there we have it.  If you buy an EV and drive 12,000 miles per year, you will need 8 solar panels to avoid purchasing kW from your energy provider.

How Much Solar Energy Do I Need to Charge an Electric Vehicle?

Typically, most EV models have a battery capacity equaling about 65 kWh, which can sustain a driving range of approximately 220 miles, depending on driving speed, efficiency, and other factors. If you drive about 12,000 miles per year, a standard home PV system of 7-8 solar panels should be enough to keep your EV charged with clean, sun-derived energy on most days.However, you should also take other factors into account, such as the size of your household, your average electricity consumption, and your typical driving range.

Source: Aptera

Wrapping it up

In conclusion, there are many things to consider when thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle. Hybrid and EV electric vehicles may be an excellent option for certain people. They may require less maintenance, have higher resell costs and are better for the environment. However, there are also drawbacks to consider such as higher upfront costs and less power and acceleration in your vehicle. Before you purchase an electric vehicle, you’ve got a lot to consider.