How good are electric cars compared to normal ones? How do they work exactly?
I'm 17, I'll get a car soon, I'm just wondering how electric cars stack up next to a regular car…pros and cons?
Electric cars come in hybrid and pure-electric forms. Hybrids use gas engines in combination with electric motors, and may or may not have to be plugged in. Pure electric cars need to be plugged in, and the time it takes varies.
This explains the variation in charge times: http://www.plug-in.com/charge-times-how-long-to-fill-your-battery/
If you only plan on driving your car short distances between recharges, then an electric car will save you money in the long-run. However, since you're young and might want to take road trips or travel to college, you might want to wait until prices for electric cars go down.
Performance-wise, they can be pretty equal if you are willing to pay the right price. The available options are less, however, and you should put a little time into researching a car before you buy it. I'm sure you already know to be safe once you get your car. Congrats and Good luck!
May 12th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Battery and motor technologies are behind as of now. So range, performance, and reliability are not on par with a gas car. This is changing every day, so cross your fingers, you might be seeing fully operational electric vehicles in five years. Maybe ten.
and before someone calls the tesla to point and says im wrong, you should know that the motors and batteries do not last long, and it does take hours to recharge. Also heavy performance driving is extra hard on them. Top gear broke both of the ones that were sent them within minutes of each other. They are coming, how soon kinda depends on those who believe in them.
And if they can get fuel cell vehicles working we won't have to worry about batteries.
References :