In this article, we want to take a critical eye to what it means to own an electric vehicle, or EV for short. Like most other products, there are pros and cons. If you’re in the market or considering a purchase, you’re in luck because we’ve put together a short article, we hope you use if and when you’re making a decision about moving away from gas-powered vehicles.
Good:
In comparison to its gas-guzzling counterparts, the EV gets better overall mileage and, with fewer movable parts, requires less maintenance. You’ll never find yourself watching the odometer, checking when you’re due for your next oil change. EVs also don’t require spark plugs or fuel filters. Also, the brake pads’ lifespan is longer. All of these perks add up to fewer trips to the mechanic and lower maintenance costs. And speaking of money, purchasing an EV can be affordable when you factor in rebates and manufacturers’ incentives. Plus, you’re making an environmentally conscious choice when you drive an EV.
Bad:
The first issue you will likely run into with owning an EV is the lack of charging stations. Looking for an EV charging station is like looking for a bathroom for a three year old – desperation sets in! Furthermore, how likely you are to have access to a charging station largely depends on where you are. The state of Louisiana has the fewest EV chargers per capita in the United States, while Vermont has the most. Louisiana has a love affair with large engines and its economy is driven by oil and gas. On the flip side, Vermont is a very small state with no oil and gas revenues. In both scenarios, the states’ wealth or lack of charging stations hinges on how the state culture and resources rather than consumer needs.
What’s more, imagine if the electric grid is overloaded and you are told by your city government you cannot charge your vehicle. Think it won’t happen? Think again. This very scenario recently played out in California, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you how that might have negatively impacted those residents. Some of them might have been forced to call an Uber or Lyft to work or sort out carpooling. It’s certainly not the end of the world, but just this one example demonstrates how your life might be disrupted should the power supply be short.
Ugly:
A mishap at the charging station leads to your truck battery exploding. Recently, a tourist traveling with his family and two dogs stopped at an EV charging station in Newport, Oregon. Once the car was charged, he heard a deafening boom. Both the truck and the station were dead, and the truck had to be towed because the 12V battery was kaput. At the time of this publishing, the cause of the problem is still unknown.
Other EV owners have been forced to cancel their Christmas plans after discovering their cars wouldn’t charge in freezing weather. With the thermometer recording 19 degrees temps and a car with only 40 percent battery life, the owner wasn’t able to fully charge the car. Even after traveling to a different charging station the next day, the result was the same. Without the ability to charge the car fully, the owner was forced to cancel holiday plans.
Conclusion:
If you are going to own an EV, you might consider having a backup plan such as owning a gas-powered or a hybrid vehicle.
Oil & Gas Industry Blog: Vive La Frack! 