Over the last decade, the most exciting topic in the auto industry has been electric cars. The EV industry is growing faster than ever before, and with the demand exploding and more mainstream manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Ford introducing electric cars to meet it, it's clear that EVs are the future.
However, not everyone feels this way. Many gearheads are still reluctant to switch to electric cars, and some have even sworn they'll never drive one. In this article, we'll look at some of the reasons why some people think electric cars are awesome versus why some gearheads don't like them.
10 Why Electric Cars Are Cool: Insane Acceleration
If there's one thing EVs are better at than gas-powered cars, it's picking up speed. EVs drivetrains are less complicated than gas-powered cars, which means their power is sent to the wheels almost instantly. This is why some of the fastest-accelerating cars are EVs.
Take the new Tesla Model S Plaid, for example. This car takes a record-breaking 1.98 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is crazy considering that it's a four-door luxury sedan that weighs almost 5,000 lbs.
9 Why We Still Won't Buy One: They're Too Expensive
The cost of electric cars is a major reason why many people won't buy them. Entry-level electric cars — such as the Nissan Leaf — typically start at around $30,000, while luxury models cost around $80,000 or more. In most cases, buyers have to pay around $10,000 more for an EV than they'd pay for an equivalent gas-powered car.
For instance, Tesla's cheapest car, the Model 3, costs around $40,000. For this amount, you can get a BMW 3-Series, which is a better car in almost every way.
8 Why Electric Cars Are Cool: Range Anxiety Is Not A Problem Anymore
Range anxiety has been a significant problem for EV owners. No driver wants to run out of juice when they can't access a charger. Thankfully, manufacturers have been working day and night to solve this problem, and most EVs today have enough range for both short and long trips.
For example, the Lucid Air recently became the first EV to offer a range of 500 miles, and other manufacturers are expected to follow suit. As technology advances, we'll soon have EVs that can cover more than 1,000 miles on a single charge.
7 Why We Still Won't Buy One: Charging Is Still A Problem
Even though the range has improved, you still have to go through the hassle of charging an EV. First of all, finding a charging station can be a challenge, especially in less urbanized areas. When you find one, you still have to wait for an hour or more to get a full charge. This is a lot more time than it takes to pull into a gas station and fill up.
It gets even worse for people who charge at home. Depending on the model and type of charger, it can take anywhere from hours to days to get a full charge at home.
6 Why Electric Cars Are Cool: Fewer Maintenance Costs
On top of the fuel cost savings, EV owners also get to save on maintenance costs. EVs have fewer moving parts than gas-powered cars, which means the potential problem areas are also few.
When you switch to an EV, you can forget about oil changes and other expensive engine work that gas-powered cars usually need. You also won't have to replace your EV's brake pads as often as you'd need to in an ICE car.
5 Why We Still Won't Buy One: Impossible To Repair Yourself
Modern gas-powered cars are more complicated than classic cars, but most gearheads can still fix some issues with basic tools. When they can't fix the issue, a qualified mechanic is usually not far away.
The same cannot be said about EVs. You may not have many repair issues in an EV, but when you do, getting them repaired can be a headache. For example, when a Tesla breaks down, drivers usually have to find a certified Tesla repair shop to fix it or, even worse, wait for a Tesla technician to come to their location to fix it.
4 Why Electric Cars Are Cool: The Government Will Pay You To Drive Them
We've already mentioned that electric cars are more expensive than their gas-powered equivalents. However, in some cases, an EV may end up being cheaper than gas-powered equivalents. This is because some governments are offering tax credits and other incentives to convince more people to buy EVs.
For example, the US Department of Energy offers will give you up to $7,500 in EV tax credits when you buy or lease a new, eligible EV. The Biden administration is also pushing a bill that could see the tax credits increase to $12,500.
3 Why We Still Won't Buy One: Few Used Options
The used car market in the US is booming right now. Unfortunately, the market for used EVs is not the same as gas-powered cars. EVs make up a tiny percentage of all vehicle sales in the US, which means used options are few and far between.
Many gearheads are also reluctant to buy used EVs due to the fear that they may not last long. People are especially concerned about the expensive batteries degrading all at once.
2 Why Electric Cars Are Cool: They're Status Symbols
Owning an EV has become a status symbol these days, particularly among younger generations. Most EVs come with futuristic designs that turn heads wherever they go. Electric cars are also equipped with technologies that are straight out of sci-fi movies, such as Tesla's AutoSummon feature.
Another reason why EVs are "cool" by modern standards is their eco-friendliness. Owning an EV shows that you care about climate change, which is the trend these days.
1 Why We Still Won't Buy One: They Are Too Quiet
This is probably the biggest reason why many gearheads don't like electric cars. Although gas-powered cars are much quieter than they used to be, many gearheads still love the sweet sound of a proper engine and wouldn't imagine driving a car without an exhaust note.
Some EV manufacturers have noticed this and are adding fake engine noises to their cars to make drivers feel more at home. However, most people can identify the phony sound instantly and usually don't like it.