Are you interested in electric vehicles?

An electric vehicle is one that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors to move. It does not result in the emission of toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide, but instead uses a battery or generator to convert fuel to electricity. Another form of electric vehicle is one that is powered by a collector system of electricity that is used to charge the vehicle's battery in order to power it. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why not only being interested in, but also choosing to own electric vehicles would be a good idea.

When was the first Electric Vehicle made?
But first, let us take a brief look at the history of the electric vehicle. As it turns out, in the 19^th century, electricity was the preferred method of motor vehicle propulsion. This was because it provided a level of ease to control and comfort that internal combustion engines did not provide back then. However, as time went on, fossil fuel vehicles became more common. It is important, however, to remember that electric vehicles were still quite common in the 20^th century with platform trucks, ambulances, urban delivery vehicles and more using electric power.

Reasons you should be interested in electric vehicles
There are many reasons why you should choose electric vehicles. We have narrowed these down to these top 8 reasons.

1. They are environmentally friendly – This is a given, especially when considering the non-existent air polluting emissions and lower noise pollution that comes from electric vehicles.
2. They save you money – The need to pay for fuel will be eliminated when you have an electric vehicle. Owners can charge their vehicle's battery at home. Studies show that it costs far less to travel every 100miles with an electric powered vehicle, than with a fossil fuel vehicle. In addition, fuel prices can be unpredictable and less stable than electricity prices.
3. They are low maintenance vehicles – Because they do not have a mechanical engine, a number of parts found in conventional vehicles are eliminated. This in turn means you are less likely to need to take it to a mechanic often.
4. They are trendy – Driving an electric vehicle is now a source of pride for many people, and all the 'cool kids' have one. Owners of such cars are perceived as being more classy and interested in the latest technological advances
5. They are easier to drive – Electric vehicles are have an automatic gear box, and so make driving a lot easier. They also have high torque and a low centre of gravity for a smoother ride.
6. They are energy efficient – Unlike an internal combustion vehicle, which consumes fuel while idle, electric vehicles do not do the same. This helps to conserve power and lowers the need for frequent re-charging.
7. There is the option of using solar electricity – Instead of panicking about a high electricity bill, you could opt for solar generated electricity, which is available for free once the solar panels have been installed.
8. Used electric vehicles are cheap – Buying a brand new electric vehicle might be quite expensive at the moment, but a second-hand one that is 2 or 3 years old is a lot cheaper to purchase.

There are a few of disadvantages of electric vehicles and these are:

1. Electricity consumption is increased – The environmental impact of using an electric vehicle is eliminated if a country relies on fossil fuels to generate electricity. This creates a higher demand for electricity and more waste emissions that are bad for the environment.
2. Internal heating – In colder climates, it is more challenging to create heat within the vehicle, unlike in a conventional vehicle that produces heat as a by-product of the fossil fuels used.
3. The range of vehicles is low – This is because of the frequency at which they have to be re-charged. Fossil fuel vehicles can go for longer distances on a single tank. In addition, the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle is a lot longer and can take up to a few hours, compared to fossil fuel vehicles that only take a few minutes to fill up.

It is clear from the above that the benefits of choosing an electric vehicle outweigh the disadvantages. They are good for the environment, cost less in terms of fuelling and maintenance and are generally great to drive. Future trends indicate that electric vehicles are likely to become main stream, with various models becoming available for people to choose from.