Electric cars have become increasingly popular in recent years as an eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered vehicles. However, they aren’t perfect. Electric cars come with some downsides that should be considered before making a purchase.
Higher Upfront Costs
One of the biggest disadvantages of electric cars is that they tend to cost more money upfront. The battery pack and electric motor technology in an EV generally makes them $10,000-$20,000 more expensive than a comparable gas-powered car. This higher initial purchase price can put EVs out of reach for some buyers, especially given their limited driving range (see next section).
There are federal tax credits available to partially offset the upfront cost. But even with credits, EVs remain pricier options for most car shoppers. Additionally, the tax credits phase out once an automaker sells a certain number of EVs, so credits aren’t guaranteed to be available indefinitely.
Limited Driving Range
Range anxiety is a real concern for many EV owners. While today’s EVs can easily handle daily commuting needs, most deliver less than 300 miles on a single charge. This makes them less practical for road trips or driving in remote areas far from charging stations.
For example, here is how the range of some popular EVs compares:
| Electric Vehicle | Driving Range |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 250-350 miles |
| Nissan Leaf | 150 miles |
| Chevrolet Bolt | 259 miles |
As you can see, even the longest range EVs may require frequent charging to complete long trips. This charging downtime can significantly increase total travel times on road trips versus gas-powered cars.
Charging Inconvenience
The need to frequently recharge EVs brings inconvenience. Charging takes significantly longer than filling up a gas tank, often up to 8 hours on a home charger or 30-45 minutes at a public fast charging station. Additionally, public charging stations are not yet as widely available as gas stations. This lack of charging infrastructure can make long distance travel difficult with an EV in areas away from major highways and cities.
Battery Replacement Costs
EV battery packs degrade over time and use, just like the battery in a smartphone or laptop. After around 8-10 years, significant range loss can occur and the battery may need replacement. Since batteries account for up to half the upfront cost of an EV, replacement costs can be steep.
For example, a replacement Tesla Model S battery pack can cost over $20,000 including installation. Some automakers do provide longer battery warranties to offset this cost. However, it’s still a consideration for the long term cost of EV ownership.
Charging Speed
While fast charging speeds have improved, charging an EV battery still takes much more time than pumping gas. Most public DC fast charging stations take 30-45 minutes to charge an EV battery to 80%. This makes long road trips take significantly longer in an EV versus gas-powered car when factoring in charging stops.
Home charging an EV battery pack to full from empty takes even longer, often up to 8 or more hours on Level 2 chargers. So for those who can’t charge overnight at home, recharging an EV may not always be convenient and quick.
Environmental Impact of Manufacturing
While EVs don’t produce any emissions when driving, there are environmental impacts related to manufacturing the batteries and EV components. The mining of battery metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel can damage local ecosystems if not done responsibly.
Additionally, the assembly of battery packs generates more carbon emissions than manufacturing a gas engine. So while the overall lifetime emissions of an EV are lower, the production process does entail some ecological costs often not considered.
Access to Tax Credits and Incentives
There are federal, state, and even local incentives available to lower the upfront cost of buying or leasing an EV. However, some restrictions apply that can limit access to incentives for certain buyers.
For example, the federal tax credit begins phasing out once an automaker sells over 200,000 qualifying EVs. So Tesla and GM buyers can no longer access the full $7,500 federal credit. There are also income eligibility caps to qualify for incentives in some areas.
Additionally, some states or municipalities provide strong EV incentives, while others offer none at all. So the access to tax credits and perks can vary considerably depending on where you live.
Potentially Higher Insurance Costs
Some studies have found EV insurance costs are slightly higher than comparable gas vehicles. This may be due to the higher upfront replacement cost of EVs in collisions. Limited data on EV repairs and insurance claims can also contribute to potentially higher premiums from some insurers.
However, other insurers offer discounts for safety tech like automatic emergency braking found in EVs. So insurance costs can vary considerably by provider when insuring an electric vehicle.
Challenges of Buying Used
The used EV market is still developing, so buying a used electric car comes with more uncertainties versus a used gas vehicle. Prospective used EV buyers need to carefully assess the health of the battery pack, which degrades over time and use.
It’s also not as easy to find certified pre-owned EVs, extended warranty options, or detailed vehicle history reports. EV tech is improving rapidly, so buying a used EV risks getting outdated technology. There are overall more question marks to consider when buying a used EV.
Added Home Charging Costs
For homeowners, installing Level 2 charging equipment in a garage can add $1000 or more in costs. This equipment delivers faster charging speeds, which is important for conveniently recharging at home overnight. Renters may not have access to home charging at all.
Public charging station fees can make charging costs higher than gas, especially on fast chargers along highways. So EV owners without home charging pay more over the long run to recharge.
Uncertainty Around Future Battery Tech
Battery technology continues to evolve quickly in the auto industry. New chemistries like lithium iron phosphate promise even faster charging speed and greater range. Solid state batteries are on the horizon, which can pack in more energy in a smaller, lighter package.
So an EV bought today risks having outdated battery tech in just a few years. Buyers must weigh investing in a new EV with range and charging capabilities that may soon be leapfrogged by next generation tech.
Uncertainty Around Future Tax Credits
The EV market is still very dependent on federal, state, and local incentives to help offset higher purchase prices. However, political winds on EVs frequently shift, leading to uncertainty around future access to tax credits.
For example, a $7500 federal tax credit is available now, but it or state credits could be reduced or eliminated entirely in future legislative sessions. This can make long term cost projections difficult for buyers weighing an EV purchase.
Unknown Long Term Reliability
EVs are still a relatively new vehicle technology, especially compared to gas engines refined over 100+ years. The long term reliability of EV battery packs and motors across hundreds of thousands of miles is still unknown.
Most automakers provide at least 8 years/100k miles of battery pack warranty coverage to offset some uncertainty. But out-of-warranty repair costs on complex, high voltage EV components remain a question mark over the 15+ year lifespan of a typical car.
Resale Value Uncertainty
The rapid pace of changing EV technology also creates questions around long term resale value retention. Will a 2022 EV model still be desirable, or suffer from outdated tech, in the 2030s? Models with the newest battery packs may fetch higher resale values.
EV resale value projections are also lower since buyers can’t access the federal tax credit on used vehicle purchases. So depreciation may be higher on EVs in the long run.
Potential Regulatory Shifts
As EVs gain market share, regulatory reactions to falling gas tax revenue may emerge. For example, some states have proposed EV fees to offset fuel tax losses. New regulations on charging infrastructure are likely too as EVs become more mainstream.
These regulatory changes could impact the cost considerations of owning an EV in the future. Buyers may fear regulatory shifts that make EVs less economically viable down the road.
Lack of Engine Sound
Electric motors make very little sound compared to gas engines, which some drivers may miss. The lack of engine noise provides less audible feedback when accelerating hard or nearing the top speed. Some EV models do produce artificial sound at low speeds for pedestrian safety.
Performance EVs partially address this issue by amplifying the tire and wind noise during hard acceleration. But even high-end EVs lack the visceral engine soundtrack sports car enthusiasts covet.
Potential Safety Impacts in Crashes
EV battery packs introduce potential safety risks in certain collision scenarios. Damage to the battery pack can cause electrical fires, unlike gas vehicles. And first responders need special training to safely handle damaged EVs at crash sites.
However, EVs must meet the same safety standards as gas vehicles. With proper precautions by emergency crews, the electrical risks are manageable. Still, perceptions around EV battery fire risks persist among some safety advocates.
Conclusion
Electric cars offer many benefits over gas-powered vehicles, especially lower lifetime emissions and lower operating costs from cheaper “fuel” and less maintenance. But EVs aren’t a flawless solution yet. Disadvantages like high initial costs, range limitations, charging logistics, and long term uncertainties still exist.
Buyers must carefully weigh both the pros and cons before making the EV leap. Improvements in battery tech and charging infrastructure will help overcome some downsides in the coming years. But for now, gas vehicles retain some key practicality advantages for car shoppers doing a full cost-benefit analysis.
