Posted Thursday, Nov 16, 2023
Do you have plans to purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle? Are you confused about whether to go for electric vs gas vehicles? This post is for you.
There's a rising trend in the purchase of electric cars. However, many individuals still prefer gas-powered vehicles. In what follows, we take a closer look at electric and gas vehicles and understand a few critical aspects so you can make an informed decision about your next car purchase.
If you look at electric and gas cars from the outside, they look almost the same. However, there are several key differences between the two types of vehicles.
Vehicles with a gas engine rely on fossil fuel to power the car. The gas-powered combustion engine is made up of multiple parts which support the burning of the fuel to generate power. The fuel combines with air as it enters the combustion chamber of the engine and is ignited through a spark. As a result, the fuel energy powers the vehicle.
On the other hand, electric vehicles work quite differently. The engine is designed to store electrical energy. The vehicle's battery provides energy to the stator and then moves the motor. As opposed to gas engines, which comprises several parts, electric engines have fewer parts, which grant them a unique advantage over gas vehicles.
Let’s break down the cost of electric vs gas vehicles into two parts: the cost of ownership and the cost of running the vehicles. The latter includes the maintenance and the costs associated with charging or refueling.
One of the key considerations buyers have is the cost of the vehicle. When it comes to the cost of ownership, electric cars are more expensive than conventional gasoline vehicles.
However, as electric vehicles are becoming more common, you can notice a significant drop in their prices. Moreover, they also offer a higher tax credit that you can claim on your tax return, which is why electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly affordable solution.
While electric vehicles may be more expensive in terms of ownership cost, if you consider the post-purchase costs (which include the maintenance and recharging costs), you'll find them a cost-effective alternative.
With the price of gas steadily increasing over the years, refueling gas vehicles is becoming more expensive. Moreover, since it’s a non-renewable energy source, using gasoline as an engine fuel heavily contributes to environmental pollution.
However, that's not the case with electric-powered engines. You can charge your electric vehicle with energy produced from both renewable and non-renewable sources, which makes it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution (except peak hours charging, which has a higher rate per unit of electricity).
Apart from refueling and charging, the other key aspect of a vehicle's running expense is maintenance.
As mentioned earlier, gas engines are made up of multiple parts that work together to provide energy to the vehicle. When more engine parts are involved, it increases the need for repair and maintenance. Moreover, gas engines also need frequent oil changes. Together, the higher need for maintenance translates into higher maintenance costs.
But that's not the case with electric-powered engines. Engines for electric vehicles are made using fewer parts, which reduces the need for maintenance.
While you still have to incur some other costs like insurance for both electric and gas vehicles, the former ends up as a low-cost car ownership solution.
One of the other ways to compare electric vs gas vehicles is through their speed. Over the years, gas vehicles have been considered a faster alternative as they offer higher engine power. However, with consistent development and improved technology, we see a shift.
Modern electric vehicles offer quicker acceleration. However, gas-powered vehicles offer a higher maximum speed. Electric vehicles can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds, but the duration is 5 seconds in the case of gas vehicles.
On the other hand, if you compare the vehicles based on their maximum speed, gas vehicles offer a top speed of over 200 mph, whereas electric cars have a top speed of around 150 mph.
When planning to purchase a vehicle, one of the key considerations is the availability of the vehicle. While you can find a wide range of gas cars, electric vehicles have few options.
There are approximately 30 fully electric vehicle models available on the market. However, that's not the case with gas-powered vehicles. You can find hundreds of different vehicle models, which makes it easier to find a car that best suits your preferences, budget, and needs.
However, with that said, car manufacturers are heavily investing in the manufacturing of electric cars, and hence, there is a noticeable increase in their availability.
Both electric and gas vehicles have unique pros and cons, and which one makes the best choice for you comes down to your preference, budget, and needs.
If you're looking for a vehicle that may have a higher ownership cost but offers cost benefits over the years in terms of lesser need for maintenance, environmental-friendliness and tax credit, an electric vehicle makes the right choice for you. However, if you are looking for a vehicle with low upfront and ownership costs that offers higher maximum speed, then a gas-powered vehicle is the best choice for you.
At Cars of Kentucky, you can find a wide range of pre-owned gas and electric vehicles in the best condition. Visit us today to find out which vehicle makes the perfect choice for you!