This article discusses the key advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles compared to ICE vehicles. The aspects of reliability and durability, the cost of maintenance, speed, safety, power reserve and the availability of the necessary infrastructure are considered.
Reliability and durability
Electric vehicles are significantly more reliable than their petrol, diesel and LPG counterparts. They have fewer moving and wearing parts, since the engine and gearbox are much simpler.
In the popular American electric car Chevrolet Bolt only 35 moving parts that are subject to wear. IN petrol car same class Volkswagen Golf there are 167 such parts.
In addition, ICE, due to its inefficiency, emit a large number of heat during operation, which accelerates the wear of the components of the power unit.
The only part of an EV that can be a reliability concern is the battery. Over time, it degrades, that is, it loses part of its original energy capacity. However, statistics show that, with proper care, it is very unlikely that a battery will lose more than 20% capacity before 250,000 km.
To date, only 0.003% of electric vehicles have battery problems that require battery replacement before the end of the vehicle's estimated life (8-10 years).
Cost of maintenance and operation
A consequence of the high reliability of electric vehicles are low costs their owners for repairs and maintenance.
According to the American Motorist Association, with 240,000 km of run, an electric car requires an average of $ 2,100 rubles. less expenses to repair and replace worn parts than a normal car of the same class.
In addition to this, electric vehicles have significantly less Supplies and liquids requiring regular replacement. Their brake pads wear out more slowly thanks to regenerative braking technology.
Finally, cars with an electric motor can save a lot on fuel costs. A full charge of electricity, even during peak hours, will cost the owner of the car less than filling the tank of an ordinary car with the cheapest fuel - compressed natural gas.
By 100 thousand kilometers, fuel savings from using electricity instead of gasoline will be about 300 thousand rubles (when charging at night).
Purchase cost
One of the main disadvantages of electric vehicles today is their high cost, which is due to the high cost of batteries. In the absence of government subsidies and tax incentives, the purchase of an electric car cannot yet be economically justified, even taking into account the savings in operation.
The price dynamics of battery cells allows us to predict the cost parity of electric vehicles and cars with internal combustion engines no earlier than by the beginning of the 2020s.
Power reserve
On this moment electric vehicles still lag behind petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of range. Only a few models are capable of driving more than 500 km on a single charge. Moreover, under the conditions low temperatures battery efficiency drops, additional energy is required to heat the passenger compartment, so the range can be reduced by 20%.
A study conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that the range of modern budget electric vehicles is sufficient to cover the daily needs of 87% of Americans without additional recharging during the day.
With development battery technology the gap between gasoline and diesel cars can be reduced, and the construction of high-speed charging stations along motorways will allow the use of electric vehicles for long trips(see item 7).
Speed and security
Electric motors do not require a gearbox and are able to instantly transfer maximum torque to the wheels, making electric vehicles very dynamic and allow you to safely overtake.
electric sedan Tesla Model S P100D is one of the fastest stock cars on the planet with an acceleration of 0-100 km / h in 2.5 seconds.
Electrical power point is more efficient (efficiency > 90%) than the internal combustion engine and allows you to instantly change the force on each of the drive wheels. This gives electric vehicles a high exchange rate stability and reduces the risk of drift.
low position battery lowers the center of gravity and increases body rigidity, which has a positive effect on handling.
The absence of a massive engine at the front of the electric car creates a kind of “buffer zone” that softens the effects of a frontal collision. And the presence of a battery under the floor protects passengers from side impacts.
Manufacturability
It is easier to integrate autonomous driving technologies (autopilot) into electric vehicles.
Recently, the American company Waymo (a division of Google, part of the Alphabet holding), announced the purchase of 20,000 electric vehicles. Jaguar I-Pace to organize their own unmanned taxi service in the United States.
Another technology only available for electric vehicles is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), which allows them to be part of the energy grid. At the same time, electric cars help to balance the load on the power grid and, in addition, give their owners the opportunity to earn some extra money on the difference between night and day rates.
Convenient charging/refilling
One of the factors hindering the spread of electric vehicles is the slow charging speed and insufficient number of charging stations.
The number of publicly available charging stations is increasing, there are already about 500,000 of them, and the ratio to the number of electric vehicles on the roads is currently 1:6. However, the power of most public charging stations does not exceed 50kW. This means that for full charge electric car takes more than an hour, while refueling fuel tank a conventional car takes no more than 10 minutes.
The situation is exacerbated by the large number of standards for charging connectors, which leads to incompatibility of some models of electric vehicles with certain types of charging stations. But thanks international cooperation automakers, in 2011 managed to develop a universal charging standard CCS. It allows you to combine charging with the use of constant and alternating current, and its latest modifications have maximum power 350 kW, which allows you to charge an electric car in 15 minutes. At the moment, the construction of charging stations of this type is actively underway in the EU, US, Japan and China, but so far no electric car supports charging of such power.
Environmental friendliness and low level noise
The production of electric vehicles causes more environmental damage than the production of cars with internal combustion engines. The reason is the energy intensity and resource intensity of the production of batteries containing rare earth metals.
The production phase accounts for about half of all emissions greenhouse gases throughout the life cycle of electric vehicles.
However, most scientific research agree that electric vehicles fully offset the greater environmental impact at the production stage with lower emissions during operation. The speed with which they “go into plus” directly depends on the level of development of renewable energy sources and other low-carbon energy sources.
In Norway, which receives more than 95% of its electricity from power plants, this is 25,000 km, for Moscow (TPPs at natural gas) - approximately 70,000 km.
Do not forget that there are no emissions at the place where electric vehicles are used. This makes it possible to carry pollution outside the cities to areas where power plants are located, where there is a relatively low population density.
Also, electric vehicles, in comparison with traditional cars, are characterized by low noise pollution.
Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude that at the current stage of technology development, electric cars already have a number of undeniable advantages over gasoline and diesel vehicles, and in the future they will only increase.
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TaggedElectric vehicles deserve more market share than they currently have. But the main problems of electric vehicles have remained the same for many years - a small (although this can now be argued) choice, cost, a lack of understanding of the possibilities and benefits of electric vehicles, and a lack of service infrastructure in most countries. But, nevertheless, even in the USA, out of 16.5 million sold last year cars and light trucks, only 63,000 were fully electric.
Electric cars are getting better and cheaper every year. New, lighter lithium batteries can provide 150-200 km of range, which should be enough for daily urban needs. But besides electric cars, there are also plug-in hybrids, like Chevrolet Volt, and hybrids like Toyota Prius.
Electric car vs. Plug-in vs. Hybrid
Battery powered vehicles are vehicles with an electric motor and a battery pack in the trunk. In some SUVs, the battery may be located under the floor, in the so-called transmission tunnel. Nickel-metal hydride batteries used to be favored, but they are outperformed by lithium-ion batteries, which can hold 50% more power in the same volume.
Usually their power reserve does not exceed 120-180 km (in real life, not according to the data sheet). The Tesla Model S with extended batteries has a range in excess of 320 km and is claimed to reach 430 km. Travel distance can depend on a variety of factors, from weather and traffic conditions to driving style and use of options such as air conditioning or heated seats. At the moment, the two best-selling electric cars are nissan leaf and Tesla Model S - two completely different vehicles in terms of class.
Among the 63,000 electric vehicles sold in the US nissan sales Leaf made up about half or 30,000 cars, then Tesla Model S (17,000), BMW i3 (2,500, 6,000 if you count plug-in hybrid), Mercedes-Benz SmartforTwoEV (2,500), electric Ford Focus(2000). Among others available options there are also Fiat 500E, Toyota RAV4 EV, electric chevrolet Spark, electric mercedes-benz b-class, Honda Fit EV, Kia Soul EV, Volkswagen E-Golf, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Most of these vehicles are small cars or compact sedans and hatchbacks. Mass is the enemy of efficiency, so we won't see many electric SUVs on the market now, although it was released in 2015 compact SUV Toyota RAV4 EV. They are intended for long trips, and the only electric car that can provide a long journey without long recharges is the Model S, and then adjusted for the Tesla charging network.
Plug-in hybrids: this is an electric car for 20-70 km, and then we start the engine
Plug-in electric vehicles run on battery for a certain period of time (typically 20-70 km) and then switch to Gas engine. Electricity must be sufficient for daily commuting, while gasoline is used for long journeys.
Among the most popular cars of this design are the Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug In, Ford Fusion Energy, Ford C-Max Energy and The Honda Accord plug.
Other players in the hybrid market include Porsche, BMW and Cadillac, and they are working on them because of the incredible power potential of an electric motor coupled to an engine. internal combustion turbocharged. The electric motor can develop maximum torque at 0 rpm. In this component gasoline engine weaker, especially with the turbo, which takes half a second after pedaling to build up power. So, BMW presented a sports bmw car i8, and Porsche new models: Panamera S E-Hybrid sedan and SUV Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid. In turn, the Cadillac ELR is a sporty version of the Chevrolet Volt. should also appear new Volvo XC90 with a capacity of 400 hp, in which the front wheels will have a mixed drive, and the rear ones will only be electric.
The Toyota Prius hybrid will celebrate its 20th anniversary in two years, and so far Toyota has sold almost 4 million of these vehicles. Their technology includes a small battery, an electric motor that often works as a generator or starter, and a gasoline engine. On battery the car will pass only a couple of kilometers, but speed and power reserve are only secondary attributes, the main thing here is the concept. The battery is charged by braking and running the gasoline engine. The use of energy to recharge the battery, as well as movement due to the electric motor at low speed, significantly optimizes engine performance. Hybrids improve fuel economy, especially when driving in the city. Hybrid powertrains are found not only in small cars, but also in medium SUVs and sedans, including BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.
What is it like to drive an electric car
Driving an electric car (electric car) is not much different from driving a gasoline car. Certainly, external design electric vehicles are often a bit specific, examples of this can be seen in the photo, but inside they are not too different from ordinary cars in the middle class. In addition, they create less noise, so pedestrians need to look around more often. There is even a movement requiring electric vehicle engines to make noise.
Driving an electric car is perhaps a little easier. Push button start, no gears, and an electrically powered steering wheel to make turns easier. The feeling of acceleration comes only with increasing road noise, so you should be careful not to press on the gas (maybe you should call the gas pedal something else?), although, after all, this is just an electric car. You can also hear transmission noise, which may seem like an indicator of a breakdown, but it should be so. They get used to it.
Only braking can differ significantly. The most efficient electric vehicles that regenerate large quantity kinetic energy back to potential energy, start braking immediately and regenerate energy when you let off the gas. If you've ever driven a go-kart, or at least played a racing simulator, you'll understand what I'm talking about - as soon as you stop pressing the gas, the car slows down noticeably. Electric vehicles often have disproportionate brake sensitivity, and a slight difference in pressure can cause dramatically different decelerations. However, some cars allow you to adjust the level of regeneration.
How to increase range
To inform the driver about the state of the car, most electric vehicles use dashboard with display in the center console. All your actions can be displayed on the battery charge. This applies to climate control and heated seats (if any), engine mode, headlights and everything else.
But it's driving style that affects range the most, and if you're looking to extend battery life, days are max. fast acceleration up to a hundred and hard braking should be left behind. In addition, a leisurely driving style reduces the risk of an accident. It may sound boring to many motorists, but electric cars are rarely bought for fun on the road. With the exception of cars from Tesla.
What about charging?
Most electric vehicles come with a charging cable that plugs into any 120-volt outlet and can charge the car overnight. This is called first-level charging. Most owners prefer to install a second-level charger at 220 volts, which will charge the battery in 2-4 hours. Charger prices are dropping and you can buy one for $1000 - $2000. Almost all electric cars except Tesla and Nissan are used for charger and industry standard J1772 connections. Nissan uses something called CHAdeMO (pictured below), and Tesla includes its own adapter that allows Tesla's custom cable to work with regular outlets.
Most electric vehicles are equipped with built-in telematics, which notifies when the car is fully charged. Special applications from manufacturers allow you to plan the charging cycle based on the current charge level. For example, you need your car to be ready by 7 am and the app will tell you when is the best time to start charging. In addition, the app allows you to pre-heat the cabin or just let you know that the charger cable is not disconnected (or not connected).
There is practically no danger of being electrocuted, even if you walk barefoot in a damp garage. The cables are very well insulated, but more importantly, they behave like empty garden hoses. Electricity does not linger in the cable thanks to microprocessors at both ends. Even if you unplug the cable and drop it into a bucket of water, nothing (theoretically) will happen except damage to the cable itself.
The Tesla mystery is not only best electric car but great car
There are electric cars, there are electric cars high class(like the BMW i3) and then there's the Tesla Model S. Everything you've heard about Tesla is true. And you heard about half. This fantastic car who has won numerous awards. It's full size sports sedan with big back seat, excellent appearance and technical equipment(e.g. 17" LCD in the center console). If Mercedes hadn't come up with this slogan a hundred years ago, Tesla might have been saying "Best or Nothing". Also, Musk and his company should be credited for building an alternative sales channel and creating an unparalleled service system that includes hundreds of free charging stations.
Bottom line: Will an electric car save money?
The more car owners know about electric vehicles, the more likely they are to prefer them, especially in families with multiple cars or drivers. No matter what the proponents of the technology say, if an electric car is your only vehicle, range will always limit your options. 20 kilometers to and from work - no problem, but if you go to lunch with a friend who lives 20-30 km away on a cold, winter day, and you do not have time to charge the battery to 100%, you may have problems .
The battery life also raises questions. However, it should be noted that car batteries wear out much more slowly than phones and other electronics. Therefore, even if you take an electric car on credit, you can not worry that after paying it off after 10 years, the battery will stop working. The message about the zero charge appears at 25% of the charge, and the battery is considered full when it is charged at 75% of its real capacity. This extends their shelf life.
There is still debate about whether EV owners are helping the environment, as fossil fuels are also used to generate electricity, but it's still undeniable that electric vehicles (including hybrids and plug-ins) significantly reduce energy consumption.
In the end, the question may not be whether the Nissan Leaf is better than the Ford Focus Electric, but whether they are better than the gasoline-powered Nissan Versa or Ford Focus. You can find a lot good cars in the relevant price range, and $2,500-$5,000 less than a comparable electric car. But this is where fuel economy comes into play. It all depends on the purpose of buying a car - for city trips, an electric car or a hybrid is probably the best option, while for long journeys no alternative has yet been found to the good old internal combustion engine.
Electric cars are slowly but surely conquering automotive markets around the world. What is worth knowing about them now in order to prepare for safe and convenient operation in the future?
What is an electric car
An electric car is a car with electric motor, working from battery. Unlike ICE cars, electric cars do not harm the environment and do not create noise, because they have a battery instead of a gasoline engine. The most efficient, and therefore the most popular, is the lithium-ion battery, as it can hold the most energy, is lighter in weight, and is recyclable.
Main types of electric vehicles
- Fully electric. Charging is carried out only when the vehicle is stationary. The advantage is the absence of noise and harmful emissions. As for the charging time, it will take about 8 hours for the car to be in fully prepared and could travel up to 150 km. The charging station can restore 80% of the battery in just 15-30 minutes.
- hybrid. These cars run on two engines - gasoline and electric. The main load falls on the gasoline engine, and the electric only helps. The range is quite large, given that most of the time the car runs on gasoline.
- Plug-in hybrids. The car runs on both electric and gasoline engines. The main role is given to the electric motor, the gasoline engine is involved in moments when the speed is rapidly increasing. This allows the car to have a large range, with low fuel consumption. The car is charged from a conventional network (household).
- fuel cell. Cars of this type are powered by energy generated by physical and chemical reactions. Electricity, which is generated when hydrogen comes into contact with a catalyst and oxygen, supplies energy to the car's motor and battery. You need to refuel the car at specially adapted stations.
Pros of electric vehicles
- No harmful emissions. For some car enthusiasts, understanding that electric vehicles are environmentally friendly is reason enough to invest in this type of vehicle. Electric vehicles don't even have an exhaust system, so they don't have emissions. And since fuel-powered vehicles emit emissions, switching to an electric car can help clean up the atmosphere of harmful substances.
- Service. Since an electric car does not require engine oil, then a regular visit to a car service to replace it is also not necessary. In addition, it is worth noting that the brakes on an electric car usually wear out more slowly than on a conventional car.
- Quiet operation. Surely, many people have at least once moved along a busy road or drove during rush hour, and noticed how noisy ordinary cars can be. An electric car, on the contrary, is very quiet, and even at close range, you may not notice that it has passed nearby. In fact, they are so quiet that some countries have required drivers to install noise-producing devices to warn pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching.
- Economy. Another indisputable advantage is the cost of using electric vehicles. The price of electricity, or rather the costs associated with it, is much easier to predict than changes in fuel prices. Moreover, today more and more more people prefer to use alternative sources energies such as solar panels, and this allows you to get energy much cheaper, which in turn reduces the cost of maintaining an electric vehicle.
- Comfort. electric car in many ways more convenient to use than ICE vehicles. It is physically much easier to drive and much easier to control, and thanks to its quiet operation, the driver will not be annoyed by the constant noise of the engine.
Flaws
- Small power reserve on a single charge. If we take the average figures, then electric vehicles with a fully charged battery can travel from 100 to 300 km. However, be aware that the use of an air conditioner, radio, or other devices that consume electricity will reduce the range.
- gas stations. Since electric cars are not yet widespread, there may be problems finding a gas station. In addition, for a full charge, you must leave the car connected to the station for several hours. It is also worth noting that when sub-zero temperature energy consumption increases, which reduces the duration of the vehicle.
- Price. Also significant disadvantage is the price. Electric cars are several times more expensive than their counterparts. In addition, buying a car is not everything, as you often have to install special devices to charge the vehicle, as well as to buy cables that allow you to charge them from your home outlet.
- Too quiet, therefore dangerous. It is also worth noting this interesting fact- Many people consider the quiet operation of the car a disadvantage. Pedestrians who are accustomed to the noise of cars may simply not notice the movement of the vehicle.
- Service. Relatively high reliability mentioned above is a great advantage, but what if the car breaks down? Unfortunately, at the moment there are relatively few services that can serve electric cars. People living in small towns will have to transport the car to service centers, which, as a rule, are very far away, and this is an additional cost.
Conclusion
Obviously, the electric car is a vehicle that has a bright future ahead of it. Today almost all major automakers are working to ensure that electric cars are not inferior to cars with internal combustion engines, and at the same time have a commensurate price. Therefore, in the near future, silent and environmentally friendly vehicles will drive on the roads, which will save drivers from overpaying for consumed fuel.
An electric car is considered to have a electric motors battery operated. If the electric motors are powered by fuel cells or a gasoline / diesel generator, then such a machine is considered a hybrid. Electric cars first appeared in the middle of the century before last, in the forties of the 19th century.
The energy crisis has sparked interest in electric vehicles
Despite its advanced age, the electric car began to attract sufficient attention in the non-niche consumer market quite recently. The reason for this interest was the energy crisis, as well as the growing signs of environmental degradation in large cities. Prices for fuel from oil became high, people began to think about alternatives. Today, electric vehicles are a new concept in the industry.
What are the advantages of electric cars
In fact, the advantages of electric vehicles are many, and this is recognized by most specialists and consumers. The main plus is, of course, the environmental friendliness of transport, it does not emit any gases into the atmosphere, moreover, such vehicles simply do not have exhaust system. In addition, electric motors are more efficient. If a car running on a gasoline internal combustion engine converts fuel energy into mechanical energy by only 20-25 percent, then an electric car does the same with battery energy with an efficiency of 60 percent or more.
Higher motor efficiency
Also, the use of electric vehicles instead of traditional transport helps some countries to get rid of dependence on the whims of the oil markets. After all, it is no secret to anyone that many producing countries use their position to solve geopolitical problems. And the cost of electricity is much cheaper than the cost of fuel and lubricants. To the objections of oil adepts about the fact that electricity is generated by burning oil and gas, we note that the number of hydroelectric power stations in countries is very large, and we get most of the electricity from there and from the operation of nuclear power plants. There is no burning of oil and gas here.
An electric car requires an order of magnitude lower operating and maintenance costs. There are much fewer parts in a car, rubbing, moving components have been reduced several times, respectively, such cars break down much less often. These cars are almost silent, which is something that cars with internal combustion engines cannot boast of. For cities, this parameter is very important. In addition, the electric car is superior to traditional vehicles in terms of safety. There are no explosives in it, and if damaged, you do not have to worry about the machine exploding. There are some problems with the batteries, but they are isolated, within the statistical error.
What is more profitable in operation
What are the disadvantages of electric cars
Certainly, the perfect car not yet created, and electric vehicles also have their drawbacks. The first drawback is the dependence on electrical networks, the car needs to be charged regularly. Of course, this is not a drawback, this is a feature, because an internal combustion engine car also needs to be constantly refueled. But if traditional car can be refueled at stations that are scattered in any locality, then with electric cars the situation is worse. There are not so many electric charging stations in the world, especially in our country.
The need to constantly recharge
This feature gives rise to another drawback - a limited power reserve. Most modern electric cars have no more than 250 kilometers autonomous running on one charge. Therefore, you have to think seriously when building a route. Especially for the city, intercity. Then, the battery itself has a limited resource, and after a while the battery capacity will fall, while the volume of the gas tank remains unchanged. You will have to change the battery in seven to ten years, which will result in considerable expenses.
Last December it was time to change my car. If you take into account my former personal and company cars, then new car should be my 12th vehicle. I have driving experience from a Russian nine and a budget French Clio to a German Porsche and a British shed Range Rover. In this regard, I no longer experience the exciting thrill inherent in the buyer before buying a new car. Therefore, this time I made my choice in a different way. I needed the most economy car in the world by affordable price. And I found one.
Types of economical machines:
- Hybrid - hybrids ( jointly running electric motor and ICE (internal combustion engine)).
- plug-in apart working electric motor and internal combustion engine. At first, the car moves due to electric traction, as the charge of electricity runs out, you can switch to gasoline.
- All electric - working only on an electric motor.
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle - powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
If in Russia the indicator of fuel consumption is liters per 100 km, then in the USA it is the number of miles per gallon. For example, in the Russian Federation, gasoline consumption is 12 liters per 100 km, then in the USA how many miles you will drive on one gallon of fuel is 30 miles / gallon (3.79 liters in a gallon). The second system is more convenient for me, so we will use it.
Whether the vehicle is electric or hybrid, fuel economy is calculated in miles per gallon.
The most economical cars at the moment are:
- Toyota Prius Prime Plug in - 133 mpg. This is about 1.8 liters per 100 km.
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric - 125 mpg (other sources say 136/gallon).
- BMW I3 - Electric 124 mpg
- Scion IQ-Electric 121 mpg
- Chevrolet Bolt 119 mpg
- Chevrolet Spark 116 mpg
- Honda Fit EV 118 mpg
- Volkswagen golf 116 mpg
- Fiat 500 116 mpg
- Nissan Leaf 114 mpg
Probably many expected to see Tesla in the top 10 list, Tesla is not the most economical car and goes behind the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Volta and many others. Tesla is subjectively the most beautiful and objectively the most expensive car, but far from the most economical. Therefore, Tesla Model S disappeared from me immediately, and Model 3 should wait at least another 2 years and you need to pay not 35 thousand dollars for it, but 40.
To be honest, I almost did not consider fully electric cars. Unfortunately, New England does not yet have a comfortable use of electric vehicles. Underdeveloped infrastructure: insufficient concentration of gas stations/charges/parking for such cars, cold weather, an insignificant number of “carpool” lines, etc. Each car has a restriction on movement per charge. For example, Bolt claims about 200 miles on a single charge. If I go to the airport 70-90 miles and back, then it should be enough, but what if the last 10 miles is not enough? In the cold, the battery drains faster. Looking for a place to recharge? Yes, but charging may take 2-3 hours. Now imagine the people you met at the airport sitting with you at the gas station 3 hours after a 10-hour flight. Can you use super charger? Yes, but even a super charge will not fill your car in 5 minutes, plus you still have to find a free one. For now, it's very difficult.
Even worse with hydrogen engines. There is not a single Mirai car in the Toyota dealership. They say they sell only in California because. there are no centers for the replacement of hydrogen fuel cells.
These yellow tanks must first be drained, and then filled with new fuel.
In this regard, I settled on Plug In and my choice fell on the Prius Prime.
Free charging in the Southbury car park. Connecticut.
Charging this car is enough for 25 miles (40 km.). Just enough for my daily itinerary. I have never refueled yet. If you need a longer distance, then there is always an internal combustion engine. I recently traveled to New York on business, then to the airport and back - a total of about 200 km. Fuel consumption 3 liters of gasoline!
Refueling / charging is still free, but slowly many are already starting to accept fees. There is a social network of Plug Share chargers, with which it is fashionable to find charging in the required proximity. If this is not a commercial charge, then home. Yes, yes, many Americans don't mind having you charge your car at their home for free.
Blue icons are just home chargers. Click on the desired icon and
The owner's phone number and address are displayed. Call, come and charge your car absolutely free.
Very often, free chargers are located near grocery stores, shopping supermarkets and restaurants. Now I don’t eat where it’s tasty, but where there is free exercise.
To sum up the pros:
- Economy - 1.8 liters per 100 km. I charge at home every day, so I will go to a gas station 2 times a year.
- 0% emissions of harmful substances in environment. I have a garage right in the house, so this is very important. The smell from the previous car has disappeared.
- Noiselessness. The engine is not heard at all.
- Manufacturability. Usually electric cars are equipped with all sorts of nice options. For example, I have: Lane assistant (keeps the line on the track), HUD (you can bring devices to Windshield. For example, the speed will be displayed directly on the glass), control from the phone (you can turn on the car from the iPhone while brushing your teeth so that it warms up right in the garage. There are no exhausts). Emergency stop - stops by itself at low speed. Very handy in a traffic jam. And etc.
- Parking. There are special parking spaces for electric vehicles. They are usually in the most the best places as well as for the disabled.
- It is allowed to drive on the "carpool" lines. They are usually used by buses, taxis, ambulance, cars with more than 2 passengers and electric vehicles.
Now the cons:
1. Electricity is not free. Yes, as long as there is free gas stations but they start to disappear. Perhaps in a couple of years they will not be left at all. It is possible that when the majority switches to electric vehicles, electricity will more expensive than gasoline. In the meantime, like this: 1kw - from 7-12 cents. To charge my 8.8kW battery I spend about 50 cents. Electricity prices are lower at night.
2. Desirable garage.
3. Every day you have to put on the charge. Just like a phone. Fully charged from a home (120 V.) outlet in 5 hours. You can buy 240 or 480 V. charging, then the time spent by the car on charging will be reduced.
You cannot use a regular extension cord. It can ignite quickly.
4. An insufficient amount charging.
5. Long standby charging from 40 minutes to 5 hours. There are several levels of charging:
The first is 120 V. (usually such houses).
The second is 240 V.
Third - 480 V.
Fourth level or super charging. Usually only for Tesla.
This is what a free charger of the second level (240 V) looks like.
Many paid chargers accept Apple Pay or a special Charge Point card. As you know, best model business is not to sell something for a high price, but to sell little by little but for life. Now in the states, many are slowly switching to such a model. Including electric filling stations. For example, you cannot charge once for 50 cents, you need to buy a membership with a monthly payment of $19.99 with unlimited charges. This is certainly good, but so far I refuel only 7-9 times a month and it’s not very profitable for me. I think that soon everyone will be transferred to such a system and we will still sadly remember the rumbling and smelly, but very dear brainchild of Gottlieb Daimler.
Conclusion: If you want to buy an electric car and save money, then buy it right now. Then it will be too late.
