Are Electric Cars Really Cheaper to Run, or Is It Just a Myth?

Many of us have been switching to electric cars (or at least thinking about it) due to not only their lessened effect on the environment but also because they’re supposedly cheaper to run. However, most of us simply just believe this without really questioning it, so how true is it?

While there are some costs you won’t be able to avoid, there are certainly some major advantages. For instance, you’ll still need to learn how to use a automobile scratch remover to remove scratch marks instead of replacing parts of your car body, and you’re still going to be paying for the electricity used to power the vehicle. However, there are many places where electric cars are indeed cheaper to run.

Electric cars are certainly cheaper to run, but most people don’t understand why. (Source)

Slower Battery Degradation

Replacing the vehicle battery in an electric vehicle is, understandably, much more expensive than other batteries. However, the battery degrades at a much slower rate, meaning you likely won’t have to replace the battery for several years, and the technology is constantly improving meaning we’ll be able to squeeze more and more efficiency out of it as time goes by. Even now, you can safely purchase a used electric vehicle and still have a reliable battery that will last many years. Factors such as temperatures, overcharging and discharges can also affect the life of your battery, but with the right care, it’s easy to make it last longer than the advertised warranty.

Regenerative Braking

One of the problems with regular braking systems is that a lot of kinetic energy is wasted. It turns into heat and is released into the surrounding environment, and this is essentially wasted. Regenerative braking, on the other hand, transfers that kinetic energy back into the battery so that it can be used to accelerate the car. Because of this, you get more efficiency out of your vehicle and the brake pads last much longer that traditional cars, meaning you’ll replace them less frequently.

Other Maintenance Costs

When it comes to other regular maintenance costs such as changing tires, there’s aren’t many savings to be had here. Your overall maintenance bill will definitely be lower because there aren’t as many parts to an electric motor, but you’ll still be paying the same amount for things such as tires, replacing windscreen wipers, fixing vehicle body dents and so on.

While electric vehicles are certainly to run and maintain, you have to remember that not all electric vehicles have a reduced effect on the environment. While you won’t be releasing fumes into the air, do keep in mind that the electricity you use to power your vehicle has to come from somewhere and that usually involves burning coal at a nearby power station. Just remember that electric vehicles aren’t as green as you might think they are. They’re certainly much better on your wallet, but they might not be as great for the environment as you would expect.