Electric or Gas: Which Is the Cheaper Car to Own?

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When you go to gas up at the pump, do you feel it in your wallet? Or maybe you just don’t like the idea of driving a car with high emissions. There are hybrids, sure, but they still take at least some gasoline. Maybe you’re just looking to cut your emissions down and want to know what the best way to switch to electric is.

Today, we’re looking at some of the pros and cons of driving an electric vehicle. EVs have come a long way in the last ten years, so now might be a good time to jump in! Let’s get into it.

Pro: No Emissions

Putting out no emissions when you drive your vehicle is a nice feeling. While there are many other things that need to be done to address global climate change, every little bit helps.

Reducing the demand for gasoline can also be a net positive for the environment, as it means there is less need to drill for oil.

Con: Not Totally Environmentally Friendly

Sadly, there is no environmentally friendly way to drive a car. Highways are terrible for wildlife. The batteries in EVs are made of minerals mined from the Earth, and they can be harmful to wildlife if improperly disposed of.

Generally speaking, reducing emissions is a good thing for the environment. However, the best way to reduce your environmental impact is to not drive at all! Instead, you could opt to take the bus or other public transit options, if they are available in your area.

Pro: Cost of Ownership

Unlike gas cars, EVs don’t require a ton of maintenance. You’ll still need to get your brakes checked and tires rotated, but that’s about it for normal maintenance. There are no oil changes with an electric car, and it’s generally cheaper to maintain than a gas vehicle.

Of course, you also don’t have to worry about buying gas. Instead, that cost will largely be rolled into your power bill from charging the vehicle at home.

Con: Long Drives

Unfortunately, even the fastest chargers for EVs can make long road trips a pain. You’ll need to set aside considerable time to let the vehicle charge during long journeys. If you’re okay with working that time into your trip, though, this is more of an inconvenience, and doesn’t come up in daily driving.

The bottom line is, there are a lot of reasons you might want an EV. If you’re the type of person who wants to do what you can to cut your emissions, and you need a personal vehicle, an EV isn’t a bad way to go.