Electric vehicles have actually been around since the 19th century and aren’t the sole genius invention of 21st-century oligarchs like Elon Musk. However, now is the time that electric-powered vehicles are really starting to be taken seriously by established car manufacturers such as Ford, Nissan, and even Porsche.
In the early days of electric cars, they were awkward and slow contraptions with gaudy designs and naff features, but because of international treaties and laws concerning climate change, petroleum-based engines are set to become a thing of the past. Emerging technologies in electric engine design mean that they can now go pretty fast and far for a fraction of the cost of a traditional engine when it comes to charging with electricity over filling up with gas.
A WIDE SELECTION
The Porsche Taycan Turbo S for example boasts 751 horsepower, can fully charge its batteries in 22 minutes, and has a drivable distance of 280 miles. The electrics based technology of the vehicle also means that it doesn’t need knobs or switches since there are no moving parts and the car operates solely via very cool-looking touchscreen controls.
Given that a new Porsche of any kind is out of most people’s price range though, we should look on the other hand. Ford has recently unveiled a pretty solid range of hybrid vehicles along with a fully electric Mustang Mach-E while other manufactures such as Nissan, Kia, and Renault have a wide selection of hatchbacks, saloons, estates, and SUVs.
However, the specialist installation of and servicing of EVs means that many car insurance companies offer a higher cover rate than that of a traditional engine, This is one of the contributing factors putting people off EVs for now. But things will need to change soon, especially in the UK where the government has pledged a 50% electric traffic system by 2030. That isn’t really too far away and many wonder if getting rid of half of the nation’s petrol cars in just ten years is actually even possible.
PERKS OF THE PICKS
Some of the perks of owning an electric car can’t be denied, however. In the UK, EVs are exempt from road tax and some cities allow free parking while a Federal tax credit of up to $7,500 can be claimed in the United States. Norway’s bus lane access and waived sales tax on all-electric vehicles has led to the Scandinavian country becoming home to the most EVs per capita with 53% of vehicles on the road being electrically powered.
It is great to see that many manufacturers are putting serious effort into new EVs, and while most people might find a whisper-quiet car a little unusual, there are some pretty decent electric cars available.
Whatever happens, if we are honest with ourselves then we know that the future belongs to the electric car; every science fiction movie says so. But on a more serious note, the looming threat of irreversible climate change means that everyone, not just consumers but manufacturers and engine design companies all need to change together because in a world addicted to oil, EVs are the only way forward.
Photo Credit: Tesla
