7 Advantages of Electric Cars Explained

Advantages of electric cars are; no fossil fuel requirement, safe operation, no noise pollution, low maintenance, energy storage flexibility, optimal performance and innovative concept.

This article discusses the advantages of electric cars as follows;

 

 

1). No Fossil Fuel Requirement (as one of the Advantages of Electric Cars)

Electric cars do not depend directly on fossil fuels for their operation. This is the most basic difference between electric cars and traditional gasoline cars.

In general, electric cars are built for sustainability. The components of an electric car are designed to function using alternative mechanisms and energy sources that can be renewed.

For example, the electric motor; an electromechanical device, replaces the combustion engine in an electric vehicle [4]. Similarly, a battery replaces the fuel tank for energy conservation and storage.

All-electric (or ‘battery-electric) vehicles depend solely on energy stored in batteries. Others, such as plug-in hybrid cars, may combine battery storage and fuel usage. These types of vehicles often utilize alternative technologies and energy sources like hydrogen fuel cell, liquid hydrogen, and biofuel engine.

There have been arguments that electric car technology is not independent of fossil fuels since charging stations may be powered by thee fuels.

While this is a strong argument, it is also true that electric cars have facilitated the growth of renewable energy technologies including solar, geothermal, wind, hydro and wave power. These sources can also be developed to supply electricity to charging stations.

By minimizing fossil fuel dependence, electric cars contribute positively, to the efforts being made to mitigate all forms of environmental degradation including greenhouse emissions, air quality decline, soil and water pollution, global warming and climate change.

 

2). Safe Operation

Electric cars are basically safer than gasoline vehicles.

This is due to the absence of fossil fuels or combustion processes in the operational mechanism of electric cars. In place of the fuel tank are storage batteries that are usually well-housed and insulated, among other insulated electric parts.

Internal friction is also less in electric vehicles due to the presence of fewer mechanical components. This is in addition to optimized weight and other design factors that place electric vehicles high on the scale of transport safety.

Being a relatively immature and innovative technology, electric cars are usually subjected to rigorous tests to evaluate their safety. This compels manufacturers to implement models that are not only high in performance or aesthetics, but also safe for occupants.

There are a few shortcomings in the safety of electric cars. An example of these is the tendency of lithium ion batteries to overheat and explode or catch fire [3]. These problems are being addressed with efforts to develop safer batteries.

 

3). No Noise Pollution (as one of the Advantages of Electric Cars)

Because of the absence of combustion engines in electric cars, they are generally ‘quiet’ compared to gasoline cars.

The noiseless operation of electric cars is an advantage considering the prominence of noise pollution in urban and highly-industrialized areas.

When moving at high speeds, electric vehicles may produce low noises as a result of air friction and tire-road interaction [2].

For safety purposes, however, a totally-soundless vehicular operation is not recommendable. Therefore, electric car manufacturers are made to incorporate a sound producing component in their vehicles, in order to alert pedestrians and other drivers of their presence.

 

4). Low Maintenance

The maintenance requirement of electric cars is less than that of hybrid or traditional gasoline cars.

This is because electric cars do not depend heavily on fluids like fuel or lubrication oil, and do not have too many mechanical components that collide with each other.

In electric cars, there is no need for oil change or frequent replacement of worn components. The internal configuration of electric cars is also simpler than that of gasoline cars.

Maintenance is rarely required in these vehicles, and may only involve batteries, tires, or software installations.

Advantages of Electric Cars: Low Maintenance (Credit: Marc.siebert 2017 .CC BY-SA 4.0.)
Advantages of Electric Cars: Low Maintenance (Credit: Marc.siebert 2017 .CC BY-SA 4.0.)

 

5). Energy Storage Flexibility (as one of the Advantages of Electric Cars)

The dependence of electric cars on battery energy storage is an advantage for various reasons. These reasons can be generally described as storage flexibility.

Battery storage enables electric cars to utilize distributed energy resources [5]. Both renewable and non-renewable energy systems can be used to support the electric vehicle industry.

Due to its versatility, electric vehicle energy storage has facilitated the advancement of other technologies like solar batteries, solar panel arrays, smart grid, energy management systems, and smart house technology.

The travel distance on a single recharge can be increased by upgrading the battery capacity in an electric car. Excess stored power can also be sold by electric car owners to the grid.

Improvements in battery technology imply that the energy capacity, safety, and storage efficiency of electric cars are likely to improve as well.

 

6). Optimal Performance

The performance of modern electric vehicles is generally high.

This is evaluated using variables like acceleration, torque, energy conservation, and range.

In addition to high acceleration rates, the torque of electric vehicles generally exceeds that of gasoline vehicles.

Performance may only be reduced by factors like energy loss, and overheating [1].

Advantages of Electric Cars: Optimal Performance (Credit: Marco Verch 2019 .CC BY 2.0.)
Advantages of Electric Cars: Optimal Performance (Credit: Marco Verch 2019 .CC BY 2.0.)

 

7). Innovative Concept (as one of the Advantages of Electric Cars)

Electric cars are arguably a major factor in the future of the automobile industry.

Innovative ideas have been invested into the hardware and software integration, design, capabilities and functionalities of electric vehicles.

This has enabled electric vehicles to incorporate artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies into their functional architecture.

The futuristic prospects of electric cars have garnered global interest in the improvement and adoption of this technology.

Some advanced functionalities in modern electric cars include autonomous temperature regulation, self driving, improved charging, energy conservation and battery resilience.

 

Conclusion

Advantages of electric cars are;

1. No Fossil Fuel Requirement

2. Safe Operation

3. No Noise Pollution

4. Low Maintenance

5. Energy Storage Flexibility

6. Optimal Performance

7. Innovative Concept

 

References

1). Baghdadi, M.; Vroey, L.; Coosemans, T.; Mierlo, J. V.; Foubert, W.; Jahn, R. (2013). “Electric Vehicle Performance and Consumption Evaluation.” World Electric Vehicle Journal 6(1):30-37. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj6010030. (Accessed 10 September 2022).

2). Cesbron, J.; Bianchetti, S.; Pallas, M.; Bellec, A. L. Gary, V.; Klein, P. (2021). “Road surface influence on electric vehicle noise emission at urban speed.” Noise Mapping 8(1):217-227. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1515/noise-2021-0017. (Accessed 10 September 2022).

3). Cui, Y.; Liu, J.; Han, X.; Sun, S.; Cong, B. (2022). “Full-scale experimental study on suppressing lithium-ion battery pack fires from electric vehicles.” Fire Safety Journal 129:103562. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2022.103562. (Accessed 10 September 2022).

4). Eydaghi, A.; Long, E. L. (2011). “Converting an Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle to an Electric Vehicle.” Proceedings of ASEE Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada. Available at: https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2–17662. (Accessed 10 September 2022).

5). Mills, G.; Macgill, I. (2018). “Assessing Electric Vehicle storage, flexibility, and Distributed Energy Resource potential.” The Journal of Energy Storage 17:357-366. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2018.01.016. (Accessed 10 September 2022).

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