Electric car - once a fantasy, today the future of the automotive industry

Is the electric car the future of the automotive industry?

The fact that the automotive world is being taken over by electric vehicles seems inevitable. More and more manufacturers are offering not only hybrid or plug-in models, but also all-electric versions. Influenced by the direction of the industry and the inevitable changes, it is worth looking at the electric drive as a friend with whom a long-awaited meeting is approaching.

How to charge electric vehicles?

The heart of an electric vehicle is the electric motor. It uses the energy stored in the batteries and converts it into torque. An electric car needs to be charged, and this is done with both AC and DC. The first of them is available in the home electrical network and helps to replenish the “fuel” at home. The second is usually available at special charging stations.

Choosing the right power supply for an electric car affects the time of the energy replenishment process. Electric vehicles charged from the home grid absorb electricity more slowly, because they must undergo the process of converting AC to DC. When choosing a station with direct current, the whole thing works much more efficiently. Of course, in some situations you may need to charge your electric car only through your home network, for example, due to the lack of a suitable point in a given city.

Electric vehicles and engine operation

Does the sound of a V6 or V8 engine make you feel better? Unfortunately, electric cars will not give you such pleasure. There are no such pleasant sounds when the electric motor is running. There remains only the sound of cut air under the influence of the car body and the sound of rolling wheels.

A novelty that will become mandatory in the near future will be the installation of the AVAS system, which is responsible for the emission of sounds in electric and hybrid vehicles. The idea is that cyclists, pedestrians and especially the blind can recognize that an electric vehicle is passing in the immediate vicinity. This system cannot be disabled and, depending on the speed of the car, it will make sounds of different volumes.

Electric vehicles and emerging power

But back to the unit itself. You already know that it won't give you the acoustic feel of internal combustion models. However, electric vehicles have an advantage over their gasoline counterparts in the way they develop power. Internal combustion engines have a rather narrow range of optimal performance. Therefore, they need a gearbox to move smoothly. In electric vehicles, the torque is transmitted linearly and is available from the moment the unit is started. It gives you an amazing driving experience right from the start.

How much does an electric car cost?

The amount you need to spend on an electric car depends on many factors. If you want to buy the cheapest electric car in the showroom, you will probably have to wait a bit for the interesting Dacia Spring Electric model. This is a model based on the Renault K-ZE offered in the Asian market. Judging by the price of the predecessor available on this continent, you can count on an amount that fluctuates around PLN 55/60 thousand. Of course, this is the cheapest model offered in car dealerships. The same applies to used cars. 

Electric vehicles in our country 

It must be admitted that electric cars in our country are not yet very popular, but their sales are gradually growing. Therefore, you can slowly choose from the models offered on the secondary market. Among them, the cheapest models are Renault Twizy and Fluence ZE, which can be found at a price of PLN 30-40 thousand. Of course, there are cheaper models, but they are not always as profitable as they seem. Nissan Leaf and Opel Ampera 2012-2014 cost more than PLN 60.

Electric vehicle operation

Of course, buying an electric car is not everything. Electric vehicles in a huge number of modifications are based on models with internal combustion engines, so they use similar parts at least to some extent. The brakes, steering and interior are similar. Interestingly, though, as an electric car owner, you don't have to change your brake pads and discs as often. Why?

The reason is the use of engine braking while driving. An electric vehicle uses the energy generated during braking to recharge the batteries. This is especially noticeable when driving in the city, so the range provided by the manufacturers is less on the highway and higher in the urban cycle. This gives the aforementioned advantage of less brake system wear.

Moreover, electric vehicles do not need to be serviced in the classical way. By changing engine oil, gearbox oil, filters, timing belts, you leave it all behind. In cars with internal combustion engines, such replacements should be regular, but in electric cars there are simply no such parts. So you don't have to worry about the above components.

Electric vehicles and battery life

When buying a new electric car, you have nothing to worry about, because it has a declared economy and a manufacturer's warranty. In the case of used electric vehicles, the situation is somewhat different. Very often they already have a high mileage, and the battery warranty is not valid or will expire soon. However, you can fix it.

When searching, pay attention to the actual mileage of this car and compare it with the manufacturer's declarations. It may turn out that the batteries are already in a deplorable state and, in addition to the price of the car, you will soon be forced to interfere with the cells. And it can really empty your wallet. However, it all depends on the model of the vehicle and the type of batteries used.

Should you buy an electric car?

Electric vehicles are a cost-effective option, especially for those who have a charger at home and photovoltaic panels generate electricity. If you do not have such comfort, calculate exactly how much each kilometer will cost you. Remember that in the sum up to 20/25 thousand it will be difficult to find a smart model of an electric car that could be better than younger internal combustion cars. In any case, we wish you successful operation of your new "electrician"!