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Electric cars – what is worth knowing before buying? What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars?
Electric cars – what is worth knowing before buying? What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars?
Electric cars are becoming more and more popular. What it comes from? What are the pros and cons of EVs? What is the operation of electric cars like and is it worth buying an electric car? Let's check.
Electric cars – basic information about the drive
Electric cars are not new. Electric cars were designed already in the XNUMXth century. In the pioneering times of the automotive industry, they were as popular as combustion vehicles until the invention of the electric starter and the start of mass, cheap production of models with gasoline and diesel engines.
The basic principle of operation of BEV models Battery Electric Vehicle – battery-powered vehicle) has not changed significantly over the decades. The car's wheels are set in motion by one or more electric motors that draw electricity from the battery. Most EVs come with simple, single-speed transmissions, although dual-speed gearboxes are starting to appear in models with sporty features.
Popularity and advantages of electric cars
The demand for electric cars continues to grow. In 2020, sales of electric cars (EVs and plug-in hybrids) exceeded 3,24 million units worldwide (data prepared by the EV-volumes analytics company). Although the global automotive market shrank by approximately 15 percent, interest in electric cars increased by over 40 percent. In Norway, it is already over 50 percent. cars leaving showrooms are powered by electricity.
Why is EV so popular? Regulations play an important role. The European Union strives to reduce emissions of harmful substances, including: by introducing stricter standards for combustion cars and reducing the sales of cars with traditional drive. China is also heading in this direction, which has been conducting an electrification program of the automotive market since the beginning of the XNUMXst century.
Due to political and pro-ecological activities, many countries have introduced facilities related to the purchase and operation of an electric car. Depending on the solutions in a given country, buyers can count on not having to pay VAT, surcharges or the possibility of paying lower taxes and less insurance. Moreover, more and more cities are introducing the so-called green zones where you cannot enter a combustion car, but you can enter an electric one. Drivers of electric cars can often use bus lanes or dedicated parking spaces.
Of course, an electric car also has advantages related to its structure. Due to the simplicity of its structure, it is considered cheap to operate (no complicated combustion engine). Charging with electricity is also cheaper than refueling with gasoline. Moreover, the electric car has good performance. Maximum torque is available almost immediately after pressing the gas pedal.
Electric cars are also considered safe. They don't have tanks of flammable fuel. Their structure is rigid. Electric motors are relatively small and do not have to be placed under the hood, in the crumple zone, like a traditional combustion engine.
In addition, there is travel comfort. Electric cars are quiet. Designers can arrange the batteries to increase space in the cabin because the batteries are modular. Driving an electric car is very similar to driving a combustion car with an automatic transmission.
The growing range of this type of vehicles also speaks in favor of electric cars. EV is no longer only small city cars, but also sedans, station wagons, SUVs, sports vehicles and delivery vehicles.
Electric cars – charging
Disadvantages of electric cars that cannot be forgotten
The main disadvantage of electric cars is the electric drive itself. According to data from the Central Statistical Office, the average Polish driver drives just over 30 km a day. In theory, the range of an electric car should not constitute an obstacle in everyday use, especially considering that more and more models can travel over 300 km on a single charge.
It will be worse if we go on tour. A longer trip must be carefully planned and checked where it will be possible to recharge the battery. It is also a good idea to make sure that using a given charging station does not require prior registration in the operator's system.
The infrastructure is getting better, but it is still much easier to refuel your car than to charge it. According to data Polish Organization of Petroleum Industry and Trade there are over 7500 gas stations in our country. The number of publicly available charging stations is just over 1300 points.
Although compared to Europe we have a lot of fast chargers (they account for about 30 percent of all devices), most often you have to wait several to a dozen or so hours for the power to be fully charged. To use an electric car, you must have access to a constant power source. The price is also an obstacle to purchasing. Even an electric city car costs around 90-100 thousand. zloty.
Buying an electric car in Poland – is it worth it?
The high purchase cost may be the main barrier when it comes to using an electric car in Poland. However, you can benefit from a state subsidy. Three programs are available:
- Green Car – surcharge of up to 15%. value of an electric car, maximum PLN 18, the price of the vehicle cannot exceed PLN 750,
- Humming-bird – for professional groups, including: taxi drivers, surcharge up to 20%, maximum PLN 25. PLN, with the price of an electric vehicle not exceeding PLN 150. zloty.
- eVAN – subsidy for an electric delivery car, maximum PLN 70. zloty.
It is possible that the programs will be revised, as only a few hundred people benefited from them. The imposed upper limit on vehicle value is considered a disadvantage of the state subsidy system. Because of this, the choice of models is very limited, especially for individual buyers.
It is estimated that charging an electric car costs approximately PLN 40-60, which is lower compared to refueling the tank. On the other hand, rising electricity prices and the so-called capacity fee may cause operating costs to increase.
Although servicing an electric car is theoretically cheaper, it must be carried out in a place that is authorized to deal with electric vehicles. Therefore, you should take into account prices at the dealership level, not at the level of an independent workshop.
What fluids need to be replaced in an electric car?
There is no need to change the engine oil in an electric car. However, you should take care of the brake fluid, especially considering the fact that a large part of electrical energy is recovered during deceleration. In addition, there is the replacement of windshield washer fluid.
As for the rest of the range car chemicals, in an electric car, the coolant should also be replaced, which serves, among others, to lower the temperature of the batteries. Another issue is the transmission. In this case, you cannot forget to change the oil in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Electric cars – cleaning
Is taking care of an electric car different than a combustion car?
When it comes to the cosmetics of an electric car, first of all, you don't have to worry about washing it. Electric cars are tested for resistance to heavy rain and snow. Since an electric car can be charged even when it rains, there are no obstacles to taking it to the car wash.
We can use the same ones without any problem car cosmetics, as in the case of fuel cars. We write about how to take care of your car, among others: in articles: What should be included in a car care kit? Car cosmetics that everyone should have! and Cleaning your car yourself in 6 steps.
Learn more about cleaning electrics: Electric cars – how and with what to clean them?
As we mentioned, the range of available electric models is growing, but in Poland the smallest electric cars are the most popular. It's worth having in a city car car accessories, which will improve functionality, for example a net for securing luggage phone holder. In an electric car, it is also a good idea to regularly check the tire inflation blood pressure monitor, because rolling resistance may affect the rate of electricity consumption.
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