As the world progresses forward, there is a growing concern to protect nonrenewable resources of power such as oil, coal and natural gas. The fact is that these resources are only available in finite amounts and will eventually run out if not appropriately managed. This is why there is a global demand to move towards sustainable resources or at least use the nonrenewable ones more efficiently. Enter electric cars.
Electric cars are, as the name suggests, powered partly or fully by electricity. They work using energy stored in rechargeable batteries that are installed in the vehicle. There are three types of electric cars-hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and all-electric vehicles which use little, moderate and only electricity respectively.
These cars come with excellent benefits. Here are some of them.
Environmentally-Friendly:
Electric cars are marketed under the label of ‘zero emission’ cars. This is technically true as these cars burn no fossil fuel and do not emit carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, etc. Indeed, these cars don’t even have a tailpipe. Hence, they are excellent at reducing local emissions of harmful gases. This makes them particularly eco-friendly for urban centers where the masses live. This is why the governments of many developed countries, in their push for a greener future, are encouraging the use of electric cars in cities.
Now while they do reduce local pollution, they run on electricity, most of which is produced by burning fossil fuels. This means that while electric cars do not directly cause pollution, the power needed to run them may. It is important to note that for these cars to be completely carbon neutral, they need to be running on electricity produced by renewable resources, such as wind, solar or hydroelectric power.
However, despite this, they are still much better in this regard than conventional cars due to their superior efficiency (discussed later). Therefore, while these cars may not be entirely green, they are definitely the better option and a step in the right direction.
Cost Effective:
Electric cars are significantly more efficient than conventional vehicles. What this means is that they are much better at converting their energy input (electricity) into the mechanical output to drive the car. This translates to lesser energy consumption and thus lesser running cost. You also have the safety of not needing to rely on prices of petroleum, which may be volatile at times.
Electric cars have relatively simple mechanics with fewer parts than others. Therefore, there are reduced chances of parts wearing out and needing replacement. This reduces maintenance costs. Lastly, in their attempt to encourage consumers to buy electric cars, many governments are passing laws providing grants and tax write-offs for plug-in cars. This is yet another way in which electric car owners can save money. While it is true that electric cars cost more to buy than conventional cars, this extra money spent is more than compensated by the future savings. As these cars and their parts start getting mass produced on a larger scale, their costs will only go lower, making them even friendlier for your pocket.
Convenience:
Electric cars are convenient in more than one way. Firstly, these cars work on a simple system where direct current (DC) from the batteries is transformed into alternating current (AC) using a converter. This current is then used to generate magnetic fields that produce mechanical motion. The speed of movement depends on the frequency of AC power. It’s effortless to control this frequency and thus the speed of the car. The car, therefore, needs very minimalistic controls and works like an automatic transmission car. This makes them easy to drive.
Secondly, as these cars work on electricity, you can recharge them pretty much anywhere, including at your home. This eliminates the need to drive out of your way to gas stations to refuel your car. Just plug them in for a couple of hours, and you’re good to go!
No Noise Pollution:
While it is a mainstream knowledge that electric cars decrease air pollution, one fact that doesn’t get a lot of attention is that they reduce noise pollution too. Noise pollution has its own set of health hazards ranging from tinnitus (ringing in ears) and hearing loss to cardiovascular problems. If nothing else, you have to agree it can cause irritation and mood changes. Since electric cars lack an induction motor, they run much smoother than ordinary vehicles and are generally much quieter regardless of acceleration. If more people adopt these cars, we can expect a significant reduction in traffic noise, making roads much more peaceful.
Electric cars are clearly the future of the automobile industry. They offer so many long-term benefits that it is only a matter of time before conventional cars become obsolete. If you are looking to invest in a new electric car, you may want to sell your current one first. We buy cars today is a service that will gladly take the old car off your hands at a great price.
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