The Not-So-Shocking Truth About Electric Cars

There was a time when electric cars were more popular than gas-powered vehicles.

Of course, that time was long ago, in the early 1900s, to be exact. In fact, the production of electric cars in the United States peaked in 1912. Following that, though, Henry Ford’s assembly line production of the internal combustion engine changed the game. This scientific advancement meant that Ford could produce his cars for less money. Ford was then able to sell them for less money.

So the electric car became a distant – and we mean “distant” – runner-up to the gas-powered car.

There are signs, though, that this is beginning to change. It is estimated that today 4,000 electric vehicles are driving down U.S. roads. Many of these cars are conversions, created from existing GEO Metros, Ford Escorts, Volkswagen Rabbits, Hondas and Chevy S-10 and Ford Ranger trucks.

There’s a reason why so many people hold out so much hope for the electric car. It’s simply cheaper to drive. The average electric vehicle costs about 3 cents a mile to operate. The most fuel-efficient gas-powered vehicles cost about 8 cents a mile. That adds up to a big difference over time.

Electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor and batteries that are stored inside the car. Owners recharge these batteries by plugging their cars into a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet in their own garage. The dream, of course, is to one day have electric stations dotting the country’s highways, just as we have gas stations doing so today.

We’ll also need electric vehicles to come down in price before consumers buy them in large doses. Currently, these cars’ price tags range from $10,000 on the low end to $110,000 on the high end. The higher-end cars, of course, boast more powerful batteries and can run longer on a single charge.

What are the benefits of electric cars? In addition to the lower operating costs, owners won’t have to deal with messy oil or antifreeze. They won’t have to worry about scheduling tune-ups for their cars. Electric cars are also extremely quiet, running at near silent levels.

These cars in general cost about 60 percent to 70 percent less to operate. They are also four times as efficient as traditional gas-powered vehicles.

Electric vehicles, not surprisingly, are also kinder to the environment. The average electric car emits at least 67 percent less greenhouse gases into the air than do gas-powered vehicles.

The cars also use some nifty technology. For instance, they rely on regenerative braking. This means that the energy spent while drivers are accelerating is recovered when they brake. This energy is then used to recharge the electric vehicle’s battery pack. It’s a true model of efficiency.

Several different battery types can power an electric vehicle. This includes the most inexpensive, lead-acid batteries, and ranges up to the far more powerful and advanced lithium ion batteries. These batteries provide more energy and give cars a greater traveling range before needing a recharge.