Since their inception, electric vehicles have been the talk of the town. Are they worth it? Will they improve our lives, how? Should we use them? Do they give the same comfort as other cars? What about pricing? So many questions. And as the questions started rising, there were seen answers coming up from various experts. It was only after a few years since their inception that people started accepting this new innovation of technology; and since then, it has improved many things around us and for us.
As Electric Vehicles started to gain popularity, lots of companies started producing them. But Tesla remains the one that has truly revolutionized and is still revolutionalizing the EV industry. Their only aim is to make the future electric. Can it be possible? What is the future of electric vehicles? Let’s find out!
Present Condition of Electric Vehicles
Plenty of countries across the world run Electric Vehicles on their roads. Currently, Norway holds the record for the highest Electric Vehicles per person, followed by the USA, Iceland, etc.
While more than half of the world, including the fully developed and a few developing countries, have merrily accepted electric vehicles and their usages in their population’s daily lives, there still exist countries for whom the concept of EVs still remains pristine like, India, Cyprus, etc.
From this, we get to know that a few countries have a fully developed EV industry, while some still struggle to even think about electric cars running on their roads.
There also exist countries, amongst those having the least number of electric vehicles, that are working towards boosting their EV industry; thus improving the future of electric vehicles. Countries like India and China are on the way to phase out the sales and production of petrol and diesel cars soon.
Difference Between Electric Cars and Fossil-Fuel Cars
The electric vehicles and cars running on fossil fuels contrast a lot. Let’s see how they are different from one another.
Price
Albeit the purchase price of an electric vehicle is normally higher compared to the purchase price of fuel cars, EVs now are beginning to even out in terms of costs.
Though fuel cars are less expensive, comparatively, their maintenance cost remains higher. They also high-time degrade the environment.
There still exist people who are skeptical about the evolution that has taken place in the world of mobility. This, in most cases, is the result of misconceptions about electric driving. And this has a massive effect on the overall sales and demand of an electric vehicle.
Also, as there exist numerous varieties in every field, they also exist in cars. EVs and Fuel cars both have a wide variety in them, differing in prices as they vary in features. The high cost of EVs restrains people from opening their minds and try something new. But soon, the cost of EVs is expected to reduce compared to fuel cars, making the future of electric vehicles bright.
Demand
The demand for both categories of vehicles depends on the functionality of them in particular countries. Like, Norway or the USA, which have almost entirely incepted the EVs, will have a higher demand for them which nearly equals the demand for fuel cars, or sometimes may even exceed them. But countries that are not yet allied to EVs at all will abide by having more demand for fuel cars only.
This is the result of people still having misconceptions about the new driving technology; but it’ll soon be curbed out as people start getting more educated about it.
As even developing countries have started to bring in EVs to their population, it’s likely that EVs will soon be spread across the world, in every country, creating a strong base and future of electric vehicles. Also, due to their other benefits on nature and maintenance price, EVs, in the near future, are more probable to be in high demand.
Customers Preference
Why do you think a few countries still don’t have a fully developed, functional, and in-demand EV industry? That’s because the population of these countries is not educated about it. They hold an orthodox view about the topic. They are still skeptical about the evolution and have misconceptions about the technology. Given this, the population from these countries would give less or no preference to owning electric cars.
But population-based in countries with a fully developed EV industry will give more preference to EVs than fuel cars, as they would be fully knowledgeable about the topic.
Impact on Nature
EVs are more nature-friendly than fuel vehicles. And this is the fact of the matter. Electric vehicles do not pollute the air like engine vehicles running on fossil fuels do. They do affect the environment to some extent, like during the creation of their batteries, etc., but the overall harm done is much lesser compared to the internal combustion engines running on fossil fuels. Electric cars are better for the environment as they emit less amount of greenhouse gases and air pollutants over their life span compared to fuel cars. So Electric Vehicles get an A grade in this category.
Maintenance Price
Maintaining an EV is not that difficult if you have all the needed equipment, like charging stations at intervals or at your house, etc. The only difficulty you’ll face with an EV in a country having an under-developed EV industry is lack of charging points at intervals, lack of servicing centers, small garages that you have for fossil fuel cars where you can solve small problems of your cars, and lack of knowledge amongst people about the cars, its functionality, etc.
But a country having a full-fledged EV industry is less likely to face such problems. It is also officially proved that an EV typically requires less maintenance compared to fuel vehicles as its battery, motor, and other associated electronics require very little or no regular maintenance. There are fewer fluids in them, no oil to change, and no engine to maintain. It also has got fewer parts to wear down. Also, its brake wear is significantly reduced due to regenerative braking. This is what makes an electric vehicle cost-efficient and easier to maintain than internal combustion engine vehicles.
What are the Benefits and Setbacks of Electric Vehicles?
The inception of electric vehicles in our daily lives is going to be extremely beneficial but is also going to have its drawbacks. Let us first have a look at the advantages.
What’s The Best?
Cheaper to Run
The cost of electricity required to charge an Electric Vehicle is around 40% less than the cost of petrol required to run a similar-sized vehicle, driving the same distance. You can save on this cost too if you charge your Electric Vehicle from your solar PV system or at free charging stations.
Cheaper to Maintain
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) have fewer moving parts than conventional fuel cars. Servicing these cars is relatively easy, less frequent, and cheaper than fuel cars. Talking about Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles, as they have a petrol or diesel engine too, they need servicing, which makes them high maintenance than BEVs.
Better for the Environment
By opting for an electric vehicle, you are helping reduce pollution and harmful emissions. An EV, too, does create a degree of greenhouse gas emissions while charging from the electricity grid but does not create emissions while running every time. Also, these emissions are much less comparatively.
If you own a solar PV system and charge your EV during the day, you can further reduce your greenhouse emissions. If you purchase a GreenPower from your electricity retailer, then even if you charge your EV from the electricity grid, your electricity would be coming from renewable energy sources.
Better for Health
A reduction in harmful exhaust emissions is good news for our health along with the environment. Better air quality will lead to less health and respiratory problems. Also, EVs are quieter than fuel cars, thus causing less noise pollution.
Better for the Network
If EV charging is managed effectively, chiefly outside peak electricity demand periods, it’ll help us create a flatter electricity network demand profile over a typical 24 hours period. This will help us:
- Better utilize the electricity network
- Help Electric Vehicle owners avoid high-cost charging periods
- Assist the entire electricity system work more efficiently
- Help support the integration of more small and large-scale renewable energy systems into the electricity grid.
Better for Energy Security
A few countries are dependent on other countries for petroleum and other fuels. EVs are easy to power from local and renewable energy sources, thus reducing dependence on foreign oil. Also, EVs would remain unaffected if fuel supplies are ever disrupted or if fuel costs increase significantly. It’ll also help improve a countries economy.
Safe to Drive
Electric Vehicles undergo similar fitness and testing procedure tests as other fuel-based cars do. EVs are safe to use given their lower center of gravity, which makes them much stable on the road in case of a collision.
In case of an accident, one can expect airbags to open up and the electricity supply to cut from the battery immediately. This would prevent you and other passengers in the car from serious injuries. EVs are also less likely to explode as there doesn’t exist any combustion fuel or gas.
What should Improve?
Price
Buying an EV needs greater investment. Though Tesla is the only hugely successful EV producer in the USA and is spreading its wings across the globe, it’s still not something a common man can afford. And if you’re looking for a luxury option, you’ll sure need a fiduciary in the future. Usually, a car buyer would require to pay at least $10,000 more for an EV than they would for the same type of car in fuel/gas model. But as technology evolves, this price gap is likely to close soon.
Short Lifespan
Electric Vehicle batteries have a shorter life span compared to fuel cars, making their longevity a big issue. Depending on the type and usage of the battery, the batteries of almost all EVs require to be changed in short time intervals. And if the EV is being driven in a harsh climate, rough estimates claim that the car’s battery may require to be replaced after 10 years.
The EV technology is improving at an incredibly rapid pace, bring in new features and tech in every new model. This makes the prior launched electric models outdated very quickly. And this, in turn, has led to a formation of a huge market of massively depreciated EVs. to resolve this problem, manufacturers need to find a method to build EV models that provide a longer lifespan and ones that can be updated with future-proof technology which won’t result in the car becoming obsolete quickly.
Shorter Driving Range
Driving Range is one of the most prominent factors as it influences people’s decision of buying a car. EVs, compared to traditional cars, provide a much shorter driving range and speed. Normally, an electric car can go about 60 to 100 miles on a single charge, whereas if you’re using a fuel or gas car, depending on the fuel efficiency of a car and the size of its gas tank, it can stick on the road for about 400 miles on a single tank. So this is one area which needs improvement, and I’m sure we’ll soon have it.
Recharge Time
While filling up a gas tank at the gas station or fueling your gasoline car may take up to few minutes, recharging an EV to its full authority may take as long as 24 hours. Though the newbies in the industry, along with a network of supercharging stations may charge in lesser time, the overall time taken still remains longer. However, if you own a charging station in your garage, then it’ll make this whole process more manageable. There are also various kits that can help you cut down the charging time, but then they’ll again be an additional investment, so consider that too.
One way to resolve this problem may be Battery Swapping. Meaning, when your EVs’ battery comes to an end, you can easily swap out that battery with a fully charged one in minutes. The prominent concern is the creation of these kinds of batteries that would be more convenient for the users. You can have these kinds of batteries in your houses, or they can either be placed in public places. This would effortlessly solve the problem of long recharging times of EVs.
Less Variety
Traditional car models are being created for over a hundred years now, but mass production of EVs didn’t start until the ‘90s. With less of a history, there just aren’t as many electric models available as there are for the traditional ones. You only get fewer options to customize and choose the aesthetics of your EV, while there is available a vast customization for traditional cars. But with the EV market expeditiously expanding with no signs of slowing down, this situation too is likely to change soon.
How Has Tesla Revolutionized the Automobile/ EV Industry?
There’s no doubt Tesla has changed our perspective as well as the future of electric vehicles. In the times when electric cars were considered insufficient to human needs, slower, boring, and no competition for fossil fuel-powered vehicles, Tesla turned the tables. It focused on the software, worked on the design and infrastructure to make electric cars compatible and accessible, and seems to have successfully achieved the aim.
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The reason behind this extravaganza revolution lies in the business model of Tesla. Unlike its other competitors, Tesla has continuously focused on the development of more compatible software for electric cars. A concentrated focus on developing one model at a time also added to making more advanced cars as well as developing the necessary infrastructure for them.
The availability of infrastructure facilities like the installation of supercharger stations, building batteries, etc., made electric cars more accessible for people. Such development removed barriers that were stopping people from using electric cars. Also, some due credit is to be given to the internet! You might know that Tesla sells its cars online. There are no dealers to take their share from yours; you directly pay Tesla for your car. It couldn’t have been easy without the internet, right?
Tesla also has a healthy relationship with its customers. It takes active feedback from customers, generates data, and seeks continuous improvements in its electric cars.
However, the process of revolution doesn’t just work out with a plan; you have to build models that are saleable. So, let’s see what makes Tesla cars the future of electric vehicles.
What Is so Special About Tesla Cars?
People considered electric cars as ugly and undesirable, but Tesla changed that perspective. Tesla developed electric cars that are cool and desired by everyone. Even the ugliest considered model of Tesla has been already booked by thousands. The Tesla models like Model 3 and Model S have the most desirable design. These cars changed the perspectives of people. They are stylish, safe, fast, and environment-friendly.
Besides, Tesla overcame another challenge the EV industry was facing by building its own batteries. Tesla made it possible to increase the range of its electric vehicles. They build batteries that can run up to 370 miles, which is even higher than some of the gas-run cars. The company didn’t stop there, it installed special charger points at intervals of around 30 minutes to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Another factor that distinguishes Tesla from other electric cars is its system of vertical integration of software capabilities. The company itself builds and supplies most of its car parts. This gives the company the power and authority to update the old cars’ software to make them more suitable and compatible as and when required.
How Will the Future of Electric Vehicles in India Be Affected By the Inception of Tesla?
The inception of Tesla in India will surely impact the future of electric vehicles as well as fuel cars and their manufacturers in India. However, it will take a long time for the effects to start showing.
The arrival of Tesla will help boost the battery market in India. But, currently, there are very few competitors for it. India largely lacks the right technology to build the necessary infrastructure suitable for electric vehicles. Even if the batteries are developed, the country will need charger points to make EVs more accessible. It will take a few years to develop such infrastructure after the inception of Tesla in India.
The prices of the vehicles will also affect this process. The prices of these cars are assumed to be around 50 lakhs in India. This makes it unlikely to have greater demand and, thus, greater efforts towards building the proper infrastructure.
The change will, however, take place. As soon as the infrastructure starts building, new needs will be born. Various firms in India will compete to supply parts of the cars, perhaps leading to the technological revolution in India.
India manufacturing some parts or equipment of the electric vehicles is likely to boost its goal of becoming a global hub for manufacturing. Thus, the inception of Tesla will bring new hopes for India in the field along with its advanced technology, also making the future of electric vehicles bright worldwide.
How Soon Are All the Cars Likely To Turn Electric?
Evolution needs time; Tough it sounds difficult for all the fuel vehicles to fade away like their gases suddenly, but the overall sale percentage getting lower and lower can pave the way for the EVs to rule the roads entirely.
Almost all the countries are trying to bring in EVs in their countries as soon as possible; to decrease their carbon footprint and pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Countries like China and India are planning to fully ban the sales of fossil-fuel-powered cars. There is also seen substantial growth in the sales of hybrids and EVs. This all makes up for a good position of EVs in the world, creating a strong future for them.
According to expert analysis, by 2040, roughly half of the vehicles running on roads will still be powered by fossil fuels, as it’s obviously going to take a decade or two for these cars, which are still being sold, to vanish/degrade completely. But all the new vehicles that would be sold from then would be electric. So, for all the cars on the roads across the world to turn electric will take around a decade or two more. But one can say that at least 50 to 60% of the cars on roads may be electric by 2050. So, the future of electric vehicles in the near future may not be blazing with success but sure is bright.
Can the Future Be Considered Electric?
What do you think? Yes or No? I guess Yes. Why? Considering all the above benefits, I guess people across the world would have an open mind about the new technology, despite a few drawbacks; Especially keeping in mind its huge benefits on the environment. Also, fossil fuels are going to cease someday, and EVs are the only alternative we have presently. And I can’t think of any other alternative than going back to bicycles and bullock carts. Also, once people are well educated about EVs, they’re gonna love it! And would definitely want to have one.
Another point here is that the government of various countries, in order to decrease their carbon footprint and pollution level, are opting for EVs, some even planning for a ban on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. In short, Evs are a great and the only alternatives for these fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, unless you wanna walk or ride a bicycle to your office or restaurants again.
