Top 10 Electric Car Benefits Over Gas Cars

Thinking about making the transition towards an electric car? Now is a great time to do so! There are many benefits of an electric car–some may even surprise you. A few benefits are accessible from the first day you get the electric vehicle (EV), while others arrive over the course of ownership. Regardless, as you’ll see, the benefits of an electric car easily outweigh the archaic Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV), or gas car. 

Here Are 10 Electric Car Benefits:

1. No Tailpipe Emissions

All-electric cars, known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), do not have a tailpipe. Powered completely by electricity, these vehicles do not emit a single ounce of air pollution or greenhouse gas. With plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the amount of tailpipe emissions is greatly reduced since the vast majority of vehicle trips can be completed on 100% electric power without using the gas range extender. 

2. Thousands of Dollars of Incentives Available

Yes–thousands! Most EVs qualify for the Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit worth up to $7,500. Additionally, many states, electric utility companies, air pollution control districts, and local municipalities offer EV rebates. Altogether, EV drivers can claim over $10,000 in incentives! This makes the purchase price greatly reduced and sometimes less than the cost of a comparable ICEV (gas car)!

3. Less Maintenance

Ever get tired of the frequent oil change, brake replacement, spark plug replacement, timing belt change, fuel filter replacement, etc? Gas car maintenance is not only extensive but costly. In fact, according to Car and Driver, the Hyundai Kona Electric three-year maintenance costs are $2,970 while the ICEV version of the Kona costs $4,091. In other words, the EV can save owners over $1,000 from less maintenance in just three years. With all-electric cars, there are no oil changes, sparks plugs, timing belts, etc. Even with PHEVs, there is considerably less maintenance due to using the electric parts for the majority of the time.

4. Quiet Driving Experience

Thanks to the noiseless electric motor, EVs are significantly quieter than ICEVs. In fact, the Federal Government requires new EVs to play a gentle tone when the vehicle is moving at slow speeds to alert nearby pedestrians. Within the cabin, the driving experience is peaceful. It’s a hard one to explain, but once you ride in an EV, you’ll quickly notice how unpleasant ICEV sound. 

5. No Need to Stop at a Gas Station

Let’s face it, gas stations smell and dirty. Its a place where you only go if you have to and while you’re there you’re trying to leave as soon as possible. With EVs, a trip to the gas station is never needed (PHEVs will still need to on the rare occasion). Most EV drivers charge their electric car at home. In fact, according to the Idaho National Laboratory, 87% of EV drivers do so! Only in the infrequent long trip/road trips do BEV drivers need to charge at a DC Fast Charging station or PHEV drivers need to fuel up at a gas station. Nearly every charging session is done at home–nice and clean. 

6. Reduced Carbon Footprint

Interested in lowering your personal carbon footprint? EVs are the way to go. When looking at the total lifetime emissions, that is the entire vehicle life from resource extraction to operation to disposal, EVs have less emissions than a regular ICEV. In fact, according to Arthur D. Little research group, a typical BEV has about 23% less lifetime emissions than a regular, comparable gas car. 

7. Lower Cost of Operation

Electric cars are significantly more efficient than regular gas cars. For example, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has an EPA rating of 133 MPGe, while a comparable ICEV, such as the BMW 3 Series, has an EPA rating of 30 MPG. In other words, the Tesla is 127% more efficient! Combined with the low cost of electricity when rates are lower overnight, EVs have a lower cost of operation.

 8. Instantaneous Torque

Thanks to the instantly quick electric motor, electric cars have access to what is known as “instantaneous torque”. That is, power immediately available when desired. No time is wasted from gears shifting or fuel combustion. This gives EVs quicker acceleration. For example, the unassuming Chevy Bolt goes 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. A comparable ICEV, such as the Honda Fit, goes 0-60 in 10 seconds. The case increases when looking at any Tesla. 

9. No Reliance on Foreign Oil/Energy

The conventional oil/energy process mostly requires international trade and long transport to get the oil to the ICEV. With EVs, the process can be as simple as rooftop solar directly charging the EV battery. It can be that simple!

10. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

While some of these electric car benefits may be less prioritized when searching for a vehicle, nearly everyone can agree a lower total cost of ownership is a good thing. Electric cars generally cost less to own over the lifetime of the vehicle through incentives, less maintenance, and lower cost of operation. 

Available and Complete Electric Car Table:

These are just the top 10 electric car benefits over gas cars. There are, of course, many more.

If one or several of these sparked your interest, check out the complete list of Available and Future Electric Cars. The table includes key metrics such as price, range, and maximum charging rate! Plus, it is available as a PDF by signing up to the email list. Subscribers also receive the monthly newsletter to stay up to date with the latest articles.