30 Advantages to Driving Electric Cars

1. They're more energy efficient.

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Electric cars - which use batteries rather than a conventional engine to power their movement - are actually significantly more energy-efficient, even though you would think that it would take a lot of battery energy to power a car. Actually, an EV can be up to 70% more efficient from the moment you turn it on.

2. They're exempt from some taxes.

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Here's another big incentive to buying an electric car: residents of all states can get a tax break to purchase an EV! Every US resident can receive a tax credit of $7,500 when they purchase a vehicle that matches the requirements of the scheme. Some states have gone even further, such as California, which gives an additional $7,500 credit.

3. They're quieter than diesel cars.

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Although some would argue that the sheer power and exhaust sound of a gasoline-powered car is an advantage (motor heads, looking at you), there are others who would actually prefer a quieter car. Not only does this mean less noise while you're driving, but it also makes suburbs are more quiet when you drive an EV.

4. They have zero exhaust emissions.

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If the first thing you do when you look at an electric car is try to find the exhaust, then you'll be looking a long time. EVs don't produce any emissions at all, which means they don't actually need an exhaust pipe. This mean they are super clean, and don't contribute to air pollution in towns and cities - a problem that is only getting worse.

5. Recharging is cheaper than filling a car with gas.

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You might think that gas is cheaper than electricity, but actually it's the other way around. If you drive an average amount of miles every month (calculated to be 1,124 in the US), then charging an electric car at home to compensate for that usage would cost $60 per month. Now, is that more or less than what you're paying right now for gas?

6. You can recycle your car's batteries.

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Most EV batteries actually come with a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, which is considerably longer than a regular car. When your battery does get to the end of its life, though, you can make your electric car purchase completely circular by recycling your lithium car battery.  In fact, 95% of the materials inside a lithium battery can be harnessed for new batteries.

7. You might get free parking.

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Trying to find parking is always a nightmare at the best of times, and you'll still probably endure some of that frustration with you brand-new electric car. It's true that there still aren't as many charging spots as regular parking spaces, but in some cities you might benefit from completely free city-center parking as an incentive for using a green car.

8. You can refuel your car at home.

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The easiest thing about owning an EV is that you can simply charge your car at home when you're not using it! Overnight, when you're home for the weekend, or in-between trips out - home charging ensures your car is always ready to go. So, no more queues to get into the gas station or rerouting because you're suddenly out of gas.

9. They're cheaper to maintain over time.

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While an EV might not seem particularly cheap at first - especially if you're eyeing up a brand-new Tesla - overtime, you'll find that your savings only grow. Not only is electric cheaper than gas, especially if you're charging at home, but EVs are also be cheaper to maintain because service costs are lower.

10. You won't contribute to air pollution in cities.

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Cities are getting more polluted every year, and this takes a toll on regular citizens, wildlife, and the planet as a whole. By buying an EV, you'll know that you're doing your bit to make our cities clean for years to come. So, you never need to feel guilty about driving into town on a rainy day instead of getting the train or bus!

11. You never need to change the oil.

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The electric car in the photo above thinks it's being really funny, because in actual fact EVs never have to get their oil change - because they don't use any! Because of this, you'll undoubtedly save on servicing costs, and you can drive with less worry about things suddenly going wrong with the mechanisms in your car (because there are less moving parts.)

12. You can enjoy your surroundings more.

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Less noise means more of a chance to enjoy where you're driving. If you're taking a road trip through a beautiful landscape, this means you'll hear the birds and the wind through the trees, rather than the sound of your own engine. Plus, some auto-driving features in EVs like Tesla's mean you can appreciate where you are rather than always concentrating on steering (though these features still require you to be 'turned on'!)

13. Electric cars can outperform diesel cars.

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Did you know that some electric cars are actually faster than traditional cars? EVs naturally produce more torque than a petrol car, because all of the generated power is going straight to the wheels. This means they can be quicker off the line than an ordinary car. Plus, they use more of their horsepower in an efficient way, making them quicker in general.

14. They're are incentives to purchasing an electric vehicle.

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We've already mentioned that if you buy an EV in the US, you'll be able to claim some income tax credit back on your purchase. But this doesn't just apply to new EVs - you can also use the scheme to get tax credits on a used EV, making your purchase even cheaper. Plus, beginning in 2024, you may be able to use the credit to actually lower the cost of your initial purchase.

15. Safety is better in an electric car.

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While cars in general have gotten much, much safer over the last 100 years, there are still some differences in safety depending on the kind of car you buy. If you're worried about safety, then it might be best to buy an electric car. EVs have a better braking force thanks to more efficient braking systems, and they're also less likely to flip in the event of a crash.

16. You'll have a better ride experience.

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In general, your driving experience in an electric car is guaranteed to be a lot smoother than in a traditional car. Because the battery is housed on the floor of the car, they have a really low center of gravity, which considerably improves their handling and stability compared to a gas-powered car with a traditional engine. So, smoother rides!

17. Lifetime emissions of an electric car are a lot lower.

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If you think about a standard car with a combustion engine, it's hard to even compute the amount of emissions released over the entire lifetime of the car. That includes manufacturing emissions, exhaust emissions, and scrapping your car at the end of its life. By comparison, an EV can be more than three times better in terms of carbon emissions over a lifetime.

18. Electric cars handle better than diesel cars.

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Good handling doesn't just make for a better driving experience - it's something that everyone wants as standard in their car. A car that handles better is going to be more energy efficient, comfortable, safer, and have better control than a car without good handling. So, why not choose an electric car, which naturally handles much better than a traditional car?

19. You can refuel an electric car at your destination.

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While you might prefer to charge your electric car at home because it's cheaper, you won't always be able to, especially if you're travelling for a few days. However, because electric charging ports can be easily installed anywhere, chances are there will already be one at your destination. This means you can easily refuel when you get there, rather than finding a gas station en route!

20. They can be preheated on cold days.

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Stepping into a car in the middle of winter is a nasty experience. Cold air, cold seats, and slow to start - it can be a nightmare when you just want to be warm and get going. Electric cars have solved this problem by enabling you to preheat a car before going. This uses electricity, but is more energy efficient than trying to heat it while you're driving.

21. Less can go wrong mechanically with an electric car.

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Electric cars are powered by multiple battery cells that are linked together to create a larger battery. During this process, electricity is generated in the battery and goes directly to the wheels to drive your car. As a result, there are far less moving parts in an EV than a traditional car, which means less things can go wrong.

22. You can hook your car up to an app.

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These days, we can power almost anything with our phones. We can hook up our washing machines, home lighting, and security systems to apps to keep everything working fine on the go - and now you can do the same with your car. Teslas, for example, hook up to an official app where you can review the performance of your car and see when you next need to charge your car.

23. You don't have to learn to drive stick.

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Because EVs don't use a traditional combustion engine, they don't have any 'gears' like a regular car. Although they do have a transmission system, they only have one gear, which means there's no need for a stick shift to change gears manually. For this reason, you can relax more in the car, especially if you're finding it difficult to pick up stick driving!

24. They're more technological than traditional cars.

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EVs are really the future, in more ways than one. They're the peak of automotive technology, which means they also incorporate lots of other clever technology in their operations. For example, you'll find clever Satnavs, wireless charging ports,  interior cameras, and the ability to hook your car up to the internet to stream videos or music!

25. You can play video games while you're waiting to leave.

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On that note, you can even use your car to play video games these days. The Tesla can be hooked up to Xbox cloud gaming and play your favourite games in your car. The new BMW EV also allows cloud gaming, so you can take a break on a road trip for a quick Call of Duty session. We don't recommend trying to drive while gaming, though...

26. You can charge your phone or laptop while in your car.

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Electric cars come with lots of snazzy features, from pre-heating to dog settings (so your dog never gets warm in the car!) and even video games. However, one of the most basic - and welcome - features is the simple ability to charge your phone while you're on the go. These chargers don't require adaptors anymore, and some of them even use modern wireless charging tech to make it easier.

27. More electric charging points are coming all the time.

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One of the biggest worries for EV drivers is the lack of charging stations. Today, there are about 4 million electric charging stations in the US, but that figure is going to grow dramatically in the coming years. It's predicted that by 2030, there will be about 35 million, so you don't really need to worry about running out of charge on the road.

28. You get more fuel for your money.

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A traditional car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) aren't exactly the most efficient machines. In fact, from the moment you start up a normal car, they're wasting more than half the fuel in their system because of inefficient processes. In an electric car, 77% of the electricity from the battery is going to power the wheels, leading to better fuel efficiency overall.

29. You'll be exposed to less toxic pollution.

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You might think that it's pedestrians in cities who get the worst exposure to air pollution. However, you should rethink that. Drivers spend a lot of their time stuck in traffic with idling cars, and in the summer, with your window down, that's a lot of air pollution going into your lungs. By comparison, with an electric car, you're not breathing in any emissions from your own car, and more EVs on the road means better air for all drivers.

30. You can be sure you're doing good for the planet.

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Finally, one of the biggest advantages to driving an EV is simply that you're doing a lot of good for the planet. These cars produce less emissions over their lifetime than a traditional car, help reduce air pollution, and reduce our overall reliance on fossil fuels, which is a necessity for a clean, green future. So, if you've got one, congratulate yourself!