It seems inevitable that electric vehicles are the future of automotive transport. However, many consumers have understandable concerns about the viability and ease of owning these types of cars in 2023.
Here are 5 general challenges to consider before diving into your electric vehicle purchase.
Insurance
Electric vehicle insurance is a great investment for your new purchase. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a competitive, comprehensive insurance policy which covers your electric vehicle. We don’t need to tell you the importance of getting insurance on your car – in fact, it’s a legal requirement in most jurisdictions.
ROLLiN’ comprehensive car insurance is one policy which covers electric vehicles, maintaining your peace of mind when you drive your new vehicle.
Range
One of the main challenges of electric vehicles is range. While many electric vehicles now have ranges of over 200 miles, this is still less than their gas-powered alternatives. In addition, the range of an electric vehicle can vary greatly depending on driving conditions.
Speed, temperature, and terrain can all play a big role. This can make it difficult for EV owners to plan longer trips and experience range anxiety, often ruining the driving experience.
To address this challenge, the electric vehicle industry is working to improve battery technology to offer greater range.
Charging availability
Another challenge of electric vehicles is the availability of charging stations. While EV charging infrastructure is rapidly evolving, there are still many areas where charging stations are not readily available.
In addition, the charging speed of a station can vary depending on the type of station and the capacity of the vehicle’s battery.
Governments and private companies are working to develop the charging infrastructure and increase the number of fast-charging stations to make it easier for EV owners to travel longer distances.
Maintenance
Electric vehicles have simpler engines than gas-powered vehicles, which means they require less maintenance overall. However, EVs do present unique maintenance challenges.
For example, the battery pack is a critical component that requires special care and attention. The battery must be kept within a certain temperature range and must be charged and discharged in a specific way to extend its lifespan.
In addition, EVs require specialised technicians to perform maintenance and repairs. You often can’t take them to your local mechanic. This can make it more difficult to find qualified technicians and can lead to higher maintenance costs.
This issue should be relatively simple to address as time goes on, as more and more mechanics become accustomed to dealing with electric vehicles.
Cost
Another challenge involved in owning an electric vehicle is the upfront cost. While it’s been suggested the total cost of ownership over the vehicle’s lifetime can be lower than that of a gas-powered vehicle, the initial cost of purchasing an electric vehicle is often higher. This can make it more difficult for some people to make the switch to electric vehicles.
However, there are now many incentives available for electric vehicle buyers in certain jurisdictions, such as tax credits and rebates, which can make them more affordable. As the technology improves and production costs decrease, it is expected that the upfront cost of electric vehicles will continue to come down.
