Key Takeaways
- Gas powered vehicles generally have a longer range in the more affordable section of EVs.
- Getting an EV is not as green as it has been purported to be, a gas vehicle is not much better but it is important to understand the environmental impact of the EV.
- Taking a pit stop in a gas car can be up to an hour faster than charging up an EV.
- The battery will continue to degrade over the life of the vehicle, resulting in a diminished range the older the battery.
Gas Powered Vehicles Have a Much Longer Range
Most gas powered vehicles offer almost a 100 miles more range than an electric vehicle, and this is on the lower end. The other issue with EV vehicles that offer a range near that of what a regular vehicle offers is that these vehicles usually start at around 6 figures for the price. For Example the Lucid Air Grand touring that many EV enthusiasts rave about costs near $130,000, but it gets you 530 miles of range.
Many gas vehicles can oftentimes get 500 to 600 miles off of a tank depending on the size of the vehicle, gas mileage, and the tank itself. The best part about these gas vehicles is that they can cost under $40,000 brand new. And plenty can be bought used closer to $20,000 for a vehicle in great shape with some life left. If you really want a vehicle for long drives, it is simpler and more cost effective to purchase a gas powered vehicle that can go the distance.
Is it That Much Greener?
One of the big arguments for electric vehicles is the fact that they are protecting the environment. The biggest argument against this is the amount of lithium and other precious minerals that must be mined for these batteries to be able to function.
Many would argue that these mining practices are just as bad for the earth as drilling for oil. Beyond that the electric vehicles that you are able to purchase in America have parts built and sourced from all around the world, much the same as any gas powered vehicle. Some have argued that these carbon emissions from transport may be greater than that of what a gas powered vehicle could use in its lifetime. This might mean that the “green” vehicles are not as green as they are purported to be.
Filling Up at the Pump Takes Less Time Than Charging Up an EV.
Gassing up a vehicle can take as long as 15 minutes with a bathroom break or be as quick as 5 minutes. The place where EVs begin to lose their appeal is in long car drives. If you make a habit of driving distances where you need to fill up at least once on your drive an EV might not be the best choice.
If you are going longer distances in an EV you tend to purchase the larger batteries with extended ranges which unfortunately equates to a longer charging time. Some have quoted the fact that you can charge an EV up to full charge in just 30 minutes, which is still double the time it takes to gas up a vehicle in the first place, however this number is not all that accurate. Some level 3 chargers can still take up to an hour and 12 minutes to charge a 90 kWh battery. This might not make it the most effective vehicle for those who need to drive long distances often.
Battery Longevity
Unfortunately, as you have probably come to notice with a cell phone if you have had it for a longer period of time, they lose their ability to hold a charge for a longer time period. This is true of car batteries. Some have begun to doubt that EVs can last as long as 200,000 miles, like a regular vehicle. The other issue is that if it does last that long, you might see as much of a 20% decrease in your range when the battery is fully charged.
Summary
Ultimately, the choice is yours. However, consider the up front cost of owning an EV. Consider the distances you will need to drive. Consider the amount of time it takes to charge an EV. Consider the risk of losing the battery quality over the lifetime of the EV. All of this might add up to mean getting a gas powered car is a better choice for now.