Electric cars have transformed the motor industry for good. Due to their economical features many drivers can enjoy driving to and from work without incurring huge fuel costs. The electric cars are commonly known as hybrids because they use electric power but when the power runs low, they switch to using gasoline. Hybrid cars can run on electric power for various distances depending on the model and the power of its battery. Should you get a vehicle that can run for about 40 miles on full power, then it is likely to cater for your daily work commute without a problem. However, hybrids are not perfect hence their low penetration. Here are 5 Most Common disadvantages of all electric cars.
1.Limited battery power
One of the biggest drawbacks of electric cars has been the fact that the car’s battery has limited power. Most of the models in the market have a driving range of less than 100 miles when fully charged. It is only recently that leading car makers such as Tesla have come up with cars that can do over 250 miles. Tesla has been able to achieve this feat by coming up with an innovative way of manufacturing its batteries. The company has adopted a technology that hooks up numerous small batteries to produce enough power to offer drivers a range of 265 miles. Although Toyota is one of the leading car brands in the world, it has only been able to do an electric car that can drive for 100 miles on a fully charged battery.
2. The cost of electric cars is too high
Compared to cars that use fuel, electric cars are very costly. For example the new Tesla model S has a price tag of $70,000. The price is beyond the reach of many people considering that the batteries will also have to be replaced after a few years. The good news is that some companies such as GM has plans to launch a Chevrolet electric model that is expected to sell for around $35,000.
3. Charging takes too long
Unless you charge your car batteries overnight, you may not enjoy the advantages of an electric car. The average charge time for an electric car is about four and a half hours meaning that if you are in a hurry to travel somewhere you will have to use gasoline. If you compare how long it takes to fuel a car, the difference is substantial. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel with researchers working hard to come up with batteries that can be charged in minutes. Most of the research is directed at the lithium-ion type of batteries since they can be charged faster and they also last longer.
4. Fewer models
Although many manufacturers agree that electric cars are set to be big in future, not many manufacturers have committed to producing the cars. As a result, there are very few electric car models in the market. It is also notable that most of the few models available are made up of small cars. Electric car manufacturers have not designed luxury or off-road vehicles that can have a mass appeal. Since many buyers look for luxurious features in their car, they will have to wait a little longer for the manufacturers to provide an appealing luxury model.
5. Lack of charging facilities outside your area
A huge drawback of electric cars is that since they use a special charging unit, you can only charge your car at home or at a place with the charger. It thus means that should you decide to take a long journey away from your usual charging facility, you may be forced to use gasoline for the rest of the journey. Car manufacturers have been pushing fuel stations, parks and stores to have plug-in units for charging electric cars. If you charge in any of the charging unit available in public places, you are likely to be charged for the service. For this reason, you ought to research on the cost of charging and budget for it as you start your journey.
Although the above points are 5 Most Common disadvantages of all electric cars, there is no doubt that these cars will become increasingly important to society in the near future. Developers just need to increase the performance and battery life of the car to encourage more buyers.
