Should we consider electric cars in 2024?

Introduction of Electric Cars

It is true that we are really witnessing a shift in the automotive industry. For decades, traditional engines were ruling our roads globally. However, as we stand against the environmental problems and due to the advancement in technology, we are now seeing this big shift in industry. There is no doubt that Electronic vehicle (EV) sector has been gaining popularity day by day. It has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, particularly within the North American markets of Canada and the United States. With a consciousness of creating better environmental friendly innovations, these EV’s are game changing, giving us a chance to hit the road without leaving a trail of pollution behind. These Electric vehicle are powered by rechargeable batteries and electric motors.

The main purpose of this blog post is to present my honest review about why should we consider our next vehicle to be electric. Before making any decision it is crucial to discuss the key-points. By the end of this exploration, you’ll have a clearer understanding of whether electric vehicles align with your lifestyle and values, making them a viable option for your next ride into the future.

II. Overview

• Definition – Electric cars are vehicles that use electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries as for its fuel instead of traditional internal combustion engines.

• How They Work: Electric cars simply used charged electric batteries to roll. Electric motors helps to drive the wheels, and the vehicle is charged by plugging into an electric power source. This eliminates the need for traditional fuels like gasoline.

III. Environmental impacts

• Zero Tailpipe Emissions: Unlike the traditional vehicles, electric vehicle produce almost no direct emissions. This feature is very important in controlling the air pollutions. So, because of zero emissions, it improves air quality. Thus, it can contribute in a healthy lifestyle.
•  Reduce Green house emissions: Electric cars are more energy efficient than the conventional engines thus helps to maintain the carbon footprints in check. Moreover, it reduces the dependency on fossils fuels as there are alternate ways to charge vehicle by using clean renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy.
• Life time emissions: It’s essential to consider the life cycle emissions of vehicles, including manufacturing and disposal. Studies indicate that, even when accounting for manufacturing emissions and electricity generation, electric cars can still have lower overall emissions compared to traditional gasoline vehicles over their lifetime.

IV. Economic considerations

Now here comes the most important part which everyone must be waiting for and that is if these new auto models fits into a pocket of a ordinary man. I have tried to divide the cost of owing a electric cars in several parts that has been explained below:

• Upfront cost: Well it has been seen that in today’s market, electric cars are expensive than our conventional vehicles. However, it is a initial investment and a potential long term savings should not be ignored.
• Cost of fuel: Cost of fuel is the real difference maker when it comes to savings. Electricity is cheaper than that of gasoline when we calculate cost per mile. And it’s not hidden from anyone about the increase in fuel prices during inflation for example the cost of gas in Vancouver was over $2 per liter  in 2023.
• Maintenance Expenses: Nobody likes to visit mechanics engine repair alone cost thousands of dollars’. Electric vehicles typically have fewer moving parts than traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines. Fewer components mean lower maintenance costs. There is less wear and tear on parts like brakes, as regenerative braking, a feature in many EVs, reduces the strain on traditional braking systems.
• Resale value: There are many things someone may considered before buying their first electric car, one of them might be the resale value of the car. Because of the shift of auto industry, every year the sale of EV’s has been increasing. This increasing demand can influence the resale value of a car.

Government Incentives

Government of Canada understands the importance of dealing with climate change. Thus to cope better with environmental crisis Canadian government stands with their people. They have launched many programs including providing subsidies to the owners of new eligible electric vehicle. Along with many other steps government has launched iZEV Program that will help people up to $5000 with conditions applied.

Moreover, eligible buyers can also enjoy incentives from their provincial government. Check out the different incentive programs for different provinces in Canada.

V. Advancements in EV Technology

• Improvements in Battery technology – Just during the last few years the range of electric vehicle has been increased significantly. Modern electric cars are equipped with advanced lithium-ion batteries that offer higher energy density, enabling increased driving ranges. With a single charge a E car can run 100s of miles without worrying.
• Competition and advancements – Nowadays every auto company trying their best to bring out their best to withstand the change. This healthy competition drives companies for better innovations  will that ultimately benefits consumers.
• User friendly features – Many companies are loading their vehicles with best available technology for example every EV has advanced range calculator and charging station locator. These features will help people to plan their trip. Some of the big EV giant like Tesla offering auto pilot feature that is really something admirable. 
• Growing charging infrastructure- One of the most important initial concern about EV industry was the availability of Charging stations. But thanks to the collective efforts government and auto industries now the number has been significantly increased. 
• Fast chargers- Introduction of fast charger is saving a huge amount of time. These stations can provide a substantial amount of charge in a short period, reducing the time required for a full recharge. Fast-charging technologies contribute to the convenience of electric vehicle ownership. These charging networks are important for a long travel.
• Wireless chargers- wireless chargers is another remarkable achievement. These systems enable electric vehicles to charge without physical connections, providing additional convenience and reducing the need for extensive charging infrastructure.

This is only going to get better, which means more charging stations better batteries along with many other exiting features.

VI. Role of Tesla in EV market

Tesla needs no introduction, when it comes to EV market they are sitting at the top. There are several factors that contributes to Tesla’s influence in EV market.

• Advanced technology- With its innovative technology and high performance electric cars, especially the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, have set new standards for electric car performance. These vehicles offer impressive acceleration, long ranges, and cutting-edge technology, challenging the notion that electric cars are compromised in terms of speed and performance.
• Superchargers-  Tesla’s web of super chargers are second to none. You can easily locate their superchargers around you. No other network has such a huge presence in the market as of now.
• Building customer’s trust- Tesla’s success has contributed to building consumer trust in electric vehicles. The positive experiences of Tesla owners, combined with the company’s commitment to quality and innovation, have played a role in reshaping perceptions about the reliability and feasibility of electric cars.
• Competitive benchmark- : Tesla’s success has prompted other automakers to invest more heavily in electric vehicle technology. The competition to match or surpass Tesla’s achievements has led to advancements in the electric vehicle offerings from traditional automakers.

VII. Let us see the key difference between EV’s and gasoline vehicles

My Honest Review

So, the question is should we consider electric cars in 2024? In my honest review i think it is still to early to say that EV’s are better than Gasoline vehicles as of today. Gasoline vehicles are in the the market for so many decades as a result they have a better infrastructure. However, infrastructure for electric cars stills lacks that proper environment. Charging infrastructure needs to be improve a lot also there should be more investment in technology. Range anxiety is the major concern for EV buyers as of now.

But regardless, EV’s are the investment for the future, with the rising concern for the climate change this could be step that can help us to improve conditions. Also, in the last decade technology has come so far in electric vehicles, there is a very high chances that EV’s will take over combustion engines very soon.