Not self-driving cars. No flying vehicles, either.
I’m talking purely about electric cars. Conventional hybrids, plug-ins, battery electric vehicles – you name it. Many of us are starting to drive, and as the people who will run the roads of the future, it is important to consider what that future will likely look like.
First, let’s determine what each type of electric vehicle brings to the table.
Conventional hybrids are a combination or mix between gas and electric. They require a petrol tank, but also have an electric motor. This motor utilizes regenerative braking, which means that its battery charges when the vehicle brakes.
Plug-in hybrids are also a combination, except they charge the same way as a phone: by being plugged into an energy source. This generally entails shorter running times before the battery is drained, but the petrol engine is there as backup.
Battery electric vehicles are the environmentally friendly cars that come to mind at the mention of electric cars. They are not hybrids between gas and electric, but rather they are solely electric vehicles.
The concerning idea of our planet’s declining environmental state cannot be stressed enough, and electric cars are a huge step in the right direction. With diesel and gasoline-powered cars being one of the main sources of harmful emissions, the transition from gas to electric cars can make a huge difference, and even turn out to be Earth’s lifeline down the stretch.
This transition seems inevitable, with many authorities encouraging electric cars. In fact, there are many government incentives that are in place in order to influence consumers to purchase electric cars. For example, government rebates give money back to people who buy electric cars. In addition, France and the United Kingdom plan to ban all sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. Italy has exempted electric vehicles from taxes for the first five years since registration. Denmark now has more electric charging stations than petrol stations. Germany and Sweden are also among the countries planning for a future with electric cars.
Electric cars seem expensive upfront but with government rebates, tax exemptions, free parking, and more perks that come with electric cars, are electric cars financially beneficial? According to E.ON, electric cars save you up to 87% on fuel compared to gas. Also, battery technology is becoming increasingly common, and due to this their cost is rapidly falling. As a result, the upfront cost of electric cars may decrease going forward.
Some notable electric car models, as of 2021:
- Porsche Taycan
- Tesla Model 3
- Honda e
- Polestar 2
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- BMW i3
- Tesla Model S
- Mini Electric
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Audi e-tron
- Renault Zoe
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Peugeot e-208
- Volkswagen e-Up
- Kia Soul EV
This makes it evident that electric cars have won over consumers since companies only manufacture products that will align with the demand of consumers. As mentioned above, environmental benefits are the most commercialized advantage that is brought by electric cars. Considering our planet’s health, the media is encouraging the reduction of our global ecological footprint. As a result, many people are pressured into buying electric cars to help the environment. This societal persuasion has been seen in many aspects of our lives, and in this case has escalated to the point where you can now see a Tesla on almost any road, even though they were once far out of reach. In addition, brands such as Tesla have fueled conspicuous consumption – where the possession of a certain product (such as a Tesla) is creating the perception of wealth and success. What this means is that consumers are now purchasing certain electric cars in order to create a superior image for themselves within society. Even without external influences, our generation is motivated to positively contribute to the environment. One way this can happen is through the utilization of environmentally-friendly electric vehicles, and due to young activists spreading awareness about these issues, the future will likely have more electric cars on the road.
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