The popularity of electric cars has increased since they promise a cleaner future for generations to come. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has mandated that California should switch all production to fully-electric cars by 2035. Even though this mandate might seem to move the state forward, it has a few negatives to it.
One of the benefits of electric cars is that the owners don’t have to pay for gas. The average cost to fuel a gas car for a year is approximately $1,117, while the average cost to keep an electric car at optimal battery cuts the gas car cost by over 50% at $485.
Another benefit is that electric cars are environmentally friendly. This means that they don’t emit greenhouse gasses, which trap heat inside the Earth’s atmosphere. Electric vehicles are not harmful to the environment and don’t contribute to global warming, which many gas cars do.
Furthermore, electric cars are also cost-efficient because they take less money to repair. As stated by Lectron EV, “On average, EV owners can expect to pay around $4,600 on lifetime regular maintenance and repair costs, as compared to the $9,200 gas cars would need. That’s a cost difference of $4,600!” These maintenance costs usually come from oil changes, engine checks, etc.
Electric cars also have a much higher quality performance compared to regular gas cars. The electric engine provides smooth acceleration and deceleration, which creates a quiet ride, leading to a better driving experience. According to Wallbox, the better acceleration is because “… electric motors are much simpler than internal combustion engines. Therefore, EVs can provide full torque — the force that drives the vehicle forward — from 0 kilometers, resulting in instant acceleration.”
However, electric vehicles still have downsides: California is currently facing an electrical shortage due to heat waves, causing blackouts throughout the state. The state legislature and governor Gavin Newsom spent over 3 billion dollars to create a reserve to avoid the blackouts and create an emergency source of electricity.
Another drawback of electric cars is that there are very few places where they can be charged, especially when people go on long trips to go skiing or up to the mountains. A driver might have to take a detour just to charge, while regular gas pumps can be found off of every freeway. The lack of charging stations creates a lot of added time to find and go out of your way to get to them.
That’s not all, as electric cars take an incredibly long time to charge. As shown in a graph by the U.S. Department of Transportation, a standard Tesla charger that you would find in public would take around an hour to charge 180 – 240 miles. For context, an average Tesla has 300-400 miles of range, meaning it could take you anywhere from a bit over 1 hour, to about 2 hours to fully charge a Tesla (however charging it to 90% of the full battery is recommended). A factor that makes charging your car worse is that after you charge it you can only go on average 217 miles, while a regular car can go around 413 miles (EnergyNow).
Additionally, electric cars cost a lot more than gas cars. According to an article by NerdWallet, the average cost of an electric car is $55,353 and the average cost of a regular car is $47,401. That is a $7,952 difference between the two. To put it in perspective, that’s the equivalent of the price of two and a half years of gas in the Bay Area!
Now, should the state stick with gas-powered cars or electric cars? Some might say that electric cars are the better choice because of the lack of fuel needed, and the reduced carbon footprint. However, electric cars also pose the challenges of the need for charging stations in some remote places and the hefty price they cost. Electric cars are bound to be California’s future unless the mandate gets vetoed. The preference of the car only matters on the buyer’s preference, but one should keep in mind that the resale value of a gas car is only decreasing from this point on. This is because after 2035, there will be no one who would want to buy the car.
Sources:
California’s blistering heat sparked power shortages last summer. Here’s this year’s forecast
MVU: Advantages of Electric Vehicles
Gas vs Hybrid vs Electric Cars: A Complete Guide | The Zebra
Electric vs. Gas Cars: Is It Cheaper to Drive an EV?
Electric vs. Gas: It’s Time We Talk About Maintenance Costs — Lectron EV
Charger Types and Speeds | US Department of Transportation
Electric Cars vs. Gas Cars: What to Know Before Buying – NerdWallet
