Gas vs. Electric Cars

Deciding which car to purchase is not a decision to be made at the spur of the moment. It requires a proper understanding of the features of the varying available options. This will guide you in deciding which is best suited to buying a new car.

You are probably wondering what differentiates an electric car from a gas car. An electric car is an automobile that is powered by the energy in its charged battery. It doesn’t have an internal combustion engine and, as such, does not emit CO2 to the atmosphere. It is environmentally friendly because it is quieter and has no exhaust emissions. A gas-based vehicle, on the other hand, runs when a spark from the spark plug gets in contact with the fuel in its internal combustion engine. It uses gasoline or fuel such as diesel to function. It is worthy to note that the most common form of vehicle is powered by fuel.

Today’s world is more environmentally conscious, and with this going green idea, people are more inclined to do their bit. Hence, electric cars are more favored in purchases. There are three types of electric vehicles. They include:

● Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs) – powered primarily with electricity include Chevy Bolt, Tesla Model S, Honda Clarity, BMW i3, etc.
● Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) – these cars function with both electricity and gas such as Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and so on.
● Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) – these vehicles are mainly gas vehicles, but they have some electronic components.

Although electric and gasoline cars share a common feature on the exterior, their internal workings are completely different. Apart from the obvious difference in the names, here are some key differences between gas and electric vehicles.

1. Source of Power
It is of general knowledge that two major sources power automobiles. Electric cars become functional when connected to a charging source. Meanwhile, gas cars move around by fuel in the tank. Electric cars are environmentally friendly cause they do not emit CO2 emissions like the gas cars. Electric cars have more horsepower than gas cars because they have fewer moving parts. They convert 86% of electrical energy to mechanical energy, making the car move.

2. Components
The components of these vehicles are also worthy of note. The key components of a gasoline car are the battery, electronic control module (ECM), fuel filler, fuel injection system, fuel line, fuel pump, fuel tank (gasoline), internal combustion engine (spark-ignited), and transmission. The main components of an electric vehicle are onboard chargers, traction batteries, traction motors, inverters, batteries DC/DC Converters, and controllers.

3. Moving Parts
Another significant difference between electric and gas vehicles is the number of moving parts. Although these vehicles look similar, an electric car only has one moving part while a gas car has many moving parts. As a result, electric cars require fewer visits to a car service center for maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles. Since the maintenance is less for electric cars, the financial obligations are also lesser in comparison.

If you are looking to buy a new car or used car from a local car dealership like Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, it would be prudent to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

Advantages of Gas Cars
1. A gas car is more efficient when one frequently takes long journeys. When its fuel tank is filled, it can run up to 300 miles before needing another refill, unlike the electric cars, which can only run for 100-200 miles when fully charged before requiring another charge. This is quite beneficial because the driver would not need to keep making stops along the roadside for another charge. In a situation where a driver runs out of charge in an environment without a power supply, they would be stranded till a car service company can come to tow the vehicle.
2. Refilling a gas car is markedly faster than charging an electric car. When you drive to a gas station, you know you will be done in a couple of minutes. However, for an electric vehicle, it takes hours to achieve full charge capacity, which can cause delays in reaching a destination.
3. Gas cars are more commonly used than electric cars. When a car breaks down on the road due to wear and tear or improper vehicle maintenance, it is very easy to find an automobile repair shop for repairs. The odds of easily finding a service center for an electric car are higher.
4. Gas vehicles are easy to use and easier to fuel.
5. The gas vehicles have hundreds of moving parts working together to ensure a faster speed range.

Advantages of Electric Cars
1. It is widely known that electric cars are Eco friendly because they don’t emit CO2 emulsion like gas cars. Considering the state of the atmosphere, who wouldn’t want a car that is friendlier or good for the environment?
2. Electric cars are steadier and smoother when driving. Since they run on electricity, it allows the components to work perfectly without creating the inconvenience of the rumbling sounds. Also, their acceleration rate is off the charts.
3. Another advantage of owning an electric car is cheaper maintenance. The maintenance of an electric car is affordable primarily because it has just one moving part, which is the motor.

Disadvantages of Gas Cars
1. Gas cars release CO2 emissions, which are toxic to the environment. These emissions are a major drawback since it increases the rate of environmental pollution, which in turn causes global warming
2. The gas cars do not require charging to run, as long as adequate fuel or gas is available. This is also beneficial as it protects against unnecessary breakdowns on the road.

Disadvantages of Electric Cars
1. Electric cars are more expensive to buy. Compared with gas-powered vehicles, the purchase price is exorbitant, particularly when a new car.
2. There are not many fast-charging stations, making it difficult for electric cars to be charged.
3. A particular range or a limited range that an electric car can move within before going off. This would cause an avoidable delay if one were driving a gas vehicle.

The purpose for which a car should be purchased should not be restricted to only aesthetics but to functionality and durability. In conclusion, on both sides of your choice of a vehicle, there are indisputable advantages and disadvantages. With this information, you can purchase a car or a truck best suited to you. Call Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to find out more – we are the experts and can help you make the right decision for your next vehicle.

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