Electric cars are becoming more and more popular these days, so many people are wondering if they should make the switch from gas to electricity. One of the biggest reasons that people choose to switch to an electric car is to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle because electric cars don`t emit any greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide (CO2). However, switching from one type of car to another can be a big adjustment, so it`s important to understand both types of cars Gasoline vs. Electric before making a decision.
Pros and Cons of a Gasoline Car
Advantages of Driving a Gasoline Car
Gas-powered cars have been around for decades, so the world caters to gasoline-powered cars. This is shown through the many car companies that exist, the many gas stations that are found all over the country and around the world, and even through the amount of mechanics available to repair cars. These types of cars are more fuel efficient and emit less CO2 now than they have in the past.
Gasoline cars are also typically cheaper than electric vehicles— which is another reason why some people are hesitant to switch to electric vehicles. There`s a lot of familiarity with these cars, so it`s understandable to be hesitant to switch to another type of car.
Disadvantages of Driving a Gasoline Car
There are still some downsides to owning and driving a gasoline car. For one, gas-powered cars still emit CO2, so they`re not the most eco-friendly cars. Another downside is that since they`re powered by gasoline, you`re going to have to pay for gas every week— or at the very least, every month if you don`t drive as much. Not to mention the maintenance that goes into a gas-powered car, such as a routine oil change.
Pros and Cons of an Electric Car
Advantages of Having an Electric Car
Again, electric cars are the most environmentally friendly cars on the road, so that`s a major benefit if you`re trying to go green. Another major advantage of owning and driving an electric car is that you won`t have to worry about the rising gas prices or some of the maintenance that goes into gasoline cars.
Disadvantages of Having an Electric Car
Unfortunately, because electric cars are still relatively new, there`s not as many charging stations as there are gas stations. Even though you don`t have to worry about gas prices when driving an electric car, you still need a way to be able to charge the battery. Also, you can`t drive as far on a full battery charge (with most electric cars) as you can on a full tank of gas.
Even though you save money on gas and oil changes, the price of the electric vehicle makes up for it— although there are some very affordable electric cars with prices comparable to gasoline cars. However, insurance rates for electric cars are typically higher.
Similarities Between the Two
One thing about both gasoline and electric cars is that they both require routine maintenance. Electric cars don`t require as much maintenance as gasoline cars, due to the fact that they don`t need oil to move mechanically, but they still require maintenance. For example, you`ll still need to maintain your tires; replace things like wiper blades, air flyers, and fluids; and take care of your car battery to extend its lifespan. And of course, you`ll still need to perform a good car wash treatment on your electric vehicle, as you would on a gasoline vehicle.
The Best of Both Worlds
If you`re still unsure about which type of car to get, you can always try a hybrid— a car that runs on both gas and electricity. It contains both an electric motor and a combustion engine. Sometimes one engine/motor does all of the work, and sometimes both types are working together. Hybrid vehicles will let you experience the electric vehicle lifestyle without having to worry about some of the disadvantages of electric cars, and they`re also more environmentally friendly than fully gasoline-powered cars.
The bottom line is that the type of car you choose to get depends on what works best for you. Maybe living a greener lifestyle is very important to you, so you`re willing to work through the disadvantages of owning and driving an electric car. On the other hand, you may live in an area that doesn`t necessarily cater to electric vehicles (i.e., no charging stations nearby), so a gasoline car may be the best choice. Overall, it`s your choice and you should do what works for you.