The Practicalities of Owning an Electric Car

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by: Glenn Tucker
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Word Count: 875
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2011 Time: 4:17 AM
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The environmental friendly cars are increasing in popularity. This is because the new models do not have a negative effect over petroleum products anymore. Initially, the green cars used to bring peace of mind to the environmental conscious, but with other consequences such as reduced performance and discomfort. Now, the difference between petrol-working cars and green cars is barely noticeable.

The new car designs can provide a kinder approach for the car industry which reflects on the environment. The new generation of electric cars has better performance and enhanced mileage, which makes them representative for the green car industry. This is because the cars emit the minimum percentage of CO2. They do however use a large amount of raw materials which are incorporated in their batteries. Before buying an electric car, the potential owner must be aware of both advantages and disadvantages.

The main practicalities of having an electric car involve the approach on environment, expenses and bonuses. If we look at the models in the electric car industry, the Chevrolet Volt is one of the most commended and is also known as an extended-range electric. This is because it operates through 1.4-litter, four-cylinder engine, while also using a 16-hour kilowatt battery. This means that after running for the first 45 miles on the energy of the battery, the car then becomes gasoline-powered, which enables it to run for an extra 260 miles. This characteristic gives the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt an ultimate advantage, as hybrid cars use a gas engine which takes over when the electric component wears off.

Another popular item in the hybrid category is the Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid. It functions 100% electrically and benefits from a 2.0-littre HDi Hybrid4 engine, which extends the driving range and power up to 200 bhp. The four-wheel drive diesel-electric hybrid also uses a maximum torque of 450 Nm and has been upgraded to suit any conditions. The electric mode ensures no CO2 emissions, while the engine reduces emissions to 109g/km, by reducing the activity in the Combined Cycle to 67.2 mpg. The technology for the 508 RXH Hybrid, as well as the 2.0-littre HDi engine were taken from the 3008 Hybrid4 model, also known as the world's first full hybrid diesel vehicle. The car combines the latest innovation in technology, the micro-hybrid e-HDi Stop, with the 1.6 litre HDi FAP 112 diesel engine. The engine is available in both manual and electronically controlled gearbox, it has six speeds and it reduces the emissions to 98g/km.

The same cannot be said about fully-electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster. Full electric cars do not have a fuel tank and cannot operate by the use of fossil fuels. In consequence, the car has a number of limitations, the first and foremost being the distance. Fully electric cars cannot travel the extra miles as regular cars, because they are limited by the battery's lifespan. The duration of the battery varies, depending on the speed of the vehicle, the use of accessories like the air conditioning or radio, and it normally offers a maximum of 100 miles. This means that long-distance driving is not an option. Consumers cannot use the car to go on vacation, as there are no possibilities to completely charge the car along the way, due to the lack of appropriate facility.

The reason for the fondness towards fully electric cars is that consumers enjoy the lack of noise of when the car goes from 0 to 60 mph; as the electric cars normally run slow, the electric engine provides a silent drive all the way to the destination. Another reason for choosing the full-electric car is that it reduces maintenance costs, gas costs and time, all of which make it easier to manage. The activity of an electric car is much more constant and reliable than that of a classic engine, which is always active. The new developments in the battery power technology over the past few years have enabled travelling an average of 100 miles per day, at a speed of 80 km per hour. Due to the current large demand of electric vehicles and the technology improvements, the new generation of electric cars is more anticipated than ever. The performance will see higher battery durability and an increase in mileage. In response to the fast developing electric car industry, many businesses are already equipped with charging stations to suit the improved vehicles. The average time for a full battery charge is around 6 hours. Another explanation for the popularity of the electric car is the congestion charge, which can be reduced to £1,640 per annum.

Despite the disadvantages concerning the electric cars, it is strongly believed that the electric vehicle currently offers the most benefits that in time will overshadow the detriments, as the green car industry continues to prosper. The technology for the electric car has already started becoming accessible and cheaper; by 2015, it is believed that it will be worldwide-available. These vehicles are very appropriate for travelling short distances, such as a weekend getaway. While car manufacturers are working to develop the right approach to make the electric car more accessible, the hybrid is a wonderful replacement for the classic petrol-powered car and also efficient in long distance travels.

About the Author

Glenn Tucker is an online journalist from Birmingham covering a range of green, environmental issues and the automotive industry. He has been writing articles and blog posts for online publications and specialises in electric cars, low emission cars, 7 seater cars and city cars.