Smart electric cars – Rational reasons and results when buying one
There are many reasons to buy any smart electric, electric hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Rising gas costs are probably the biggest and most pressing issue when considering buying an electric car. The environment and the planet is another concern. Whatever the reason, buying any BEV, PHEV or green car instead of that fossil fuel burning internal combustion engine car will certainly have a positive effect to help save the planet and save you money too.
To make smart electric car buying decisions, it’s important to understand what the different types of electric vehicles are and how smart electric cars work.
There are three types of electric assisted vehicles that use some type of electric motor. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) is, as the name suggests, a battery-powered vehicle. There is no other source of power for the vehicle, there is no internal combustion engine (ICE) that runs on gasoline, and therefore the battery must be charged between uses and will discharge during use until depleted. At this point, the vehicle can no longer function, so it will need to be near a charging point before it runs out of gas, I mean electric juice.
Two types of hybrid electric vehicles offer the best of the EV and ICE worlds. The hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uses an electric motor to propel the car or to increase power. The result of this is usually to extend the distance you can travel on a tank of fuel, giving the hybrid electric car better fuel economy.
Finally, there is the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). This works in a very similar way to the HEV but with one big difference: the battery can be connected to a charging point to fully charge the battery to its maximum capacity. The HEV, by comparison, can only charge its battery with the current generated by its ICE, or through regenerative braking (a process in which energy is recovered during braking rather than lost). By fully charging the battery, electric power usage can be extended and gasoline usage reduced, making the PHEV the most economical of hybrid electric vehicles.
The drivetrain of a BEV is very simple: a battery powers the motor that drives the electric vehicle. Hybrid electric vehicles will be powered by an ICE and an electric motor in parallel or series, and both the ICE and the electric motor will be able to drive the electric or hybrid electric vehicle. A capacitor allows power to be channeled back to the battery as well, and in the case of the PHEV, a separate charging circuit like the BEV’s is included to separately charge the hybrid electric vehicle.
There are two types of battery used in BEV cars, PHEV and HEV. Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are an older technology and degrade more quickly than others. Newer lithium ion batteries are much more efficient and last longer in electric and hybrid vehicles. They do not suffer from memory formation like nickel metal hydride batteries and tend to provide more power to the engine than the alternative.
Older hybrid electric vehicles may still use lead-acid batteries, but they are now generally considered harmful to the environment and are no longer used.
There are pros and cons to making the switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle. They are cheaper to run than ICE cars and have good speed, and hybrid electric vehicles also have good range. But the BEV class can generally run only up to 40-200 miles, leading to what’s known as range anxiety. Hybrid electric vehicles also outperform the use of ICE, giving far greater range.
Another drawback is that the batteries wear out and need to be replaced. This is an expensive part in the car, and in a BEV, battery failure means the car won’t run at all. A hybrid at least has its ICE to fall back on.
However, the overall running costs to the owner are much less than for a vehicle with ICE. The electric or hybrid electric vehicle has fewer moving parts and therefore fewer chances for failures that need repair. The fuel efficiency of a hybrid is greatly increased, saving money per mile driven, and for a BEV it’s even less since electric power is cheaper than gasoline.
One of the biggest benefits of these vehicles is for the planet. Our oil reserves are finite and dwindling, and their continued use in this way further pollutes the environment. Switching to electric or hybrid electric vehicles will drastically reduce pollutants emitted and slow the rate at which our planet’s natural resources are depleted.
As far as the economy is concerned, electric and hybrid vehicles could be a very positive development. The production of large numbers of these vehicles would require the construction or conversion of factories and the hiring of workers to staff the factories. It is often claimed that our economy is heavily dependent on oil and that moving away from it would destroy us, but the truth is very different. By embracing these technologies, our economy can shift its dependence on oil to other alternatives, just as our automotive needs do.
Insuring an all-electric or hybrid vehicle can cost a little more than a gas-powered vehicle. Although small savings are possible thanks to the improved risk profile of people who own EVs, other costs are higher. However, repairing electric or hybrid vehicles currently costs more because there are fewer of these vehicles on the road and because replacement parts are less abundant. This increases repair costs, which insurance companies pass on to homeowners. Savings in running costs can help offset this.
The options are varied when considering the purchase of one of these cars, giving potential owners a good range of options when it comes to the power, size and range of their vehicle. The following are currently available or soon to be released, road-ready, environmentally friendly cars. Full details are not available for some of those cars that are not yet for sale.
The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric car that gets 100 miles on a charge and up to 90 mph and starts at $33,720. This is a modern looking car with reasonable range and a competitive price. The Tesla Roaster is also fully electric, with an incredible 245 miles per charge, a top speed of 125 mph, and costs starting at $101,500. This is an impressive looking car with equally impressive performance and a range like no other electric car.
The all-electric Smart-ED model has a maximum range of 98 miles and a top speed of 60 mph. This little car will be perfect for driving around the city. Starting at $599/month for a four-year lease.
Ford’s All-Electric Car: The Ford Focus hasn’t launched yet, but it’s expected to have a range of more than 100 miles per charge. This car will be available from the end of 2011 and seeks to provide all the high-tech options that people could want, in a very stylish exterior. Final pricing and other details have yet to be released.
The Chevrolet Volt is a PHEV that is capable of speeds of 100 mph. Fuel economy depends on how often you charge the battery, with official figures posted at 60 mpg using gasoline and electricity combined. Prices start at $32,780, giving you a reasonable price tag along with good performance.
Toyota’s Prius is a PHEV that has an incredible range of 475 miles on a single tank of gas, when using a combination of gasoline and electric motor. Unfortunately, since it won’t be available until early 2012, there are no further details on performance and pricing.
A full hybrid version of the Toyota Prius is also available, starting at $23,520. With a combined mileage of 50 mpg and a top speed of 112 mph, it has enough power and efficiency for anyone. This is a tried and trusted hybrid car with a good reputation.
Ford’s Fusion also has a hybrid version, starting at $19,820. With a range of 700 miles per full tank of fuel and 41 mpg, it’s powerful and stylish and has the range to take you where you want to go.
Cadillac’s Escalade Hybrid is a luxury SUV, so its price is a bit higher at $74,135. Fuel efficiency is good for an SUV with up to 23 mpg and a range of up to 575 miles per tank. This SUV balances the needs of a larger family with a desire to be a bit more environmentally friendly, and it does it with incredible style.