Complete Beginner’s Guide to Electric Vehicles

What you need to know about electric vehicles in a short.

Complete Beginner’s Guide to Electric Vehicles

Although gasoline-powered vehicles continue to dominate the auto market, EV technology has progressed to the point where you may be thinking if your next car will be electric. If you're interested in electric vehicles but don't know where to begin, we can teach you what they are, what they can accomplish, and where they're headed.

What, Exactly, Is an EV?

Electric cars (EVs) are becoming more popular, with sales increasing year after year and a wide range of models available from nearly every major manufacturer. An EV is just a car that runs on batteries rather than fossil fuels. An EV, like a gasoline-powered car, has a gas tank that supplies fuel to the engine and a set of batteries that power an electric motor.

There are many distinct types of EVs, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which only utilize battery power, and hybrids, which use both gasoline and battery power. Some electric vehicles also use hydrogen-powered fuel cells, but only pure battery-powered electric vehicles allow you to charge at home.

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How EVs Differ From Gasoline Vehicles

Electric automobiles and gasoline vehicles may appear identical on the exterior, but they are very different on the inside. An EV has powerful batteries instead of a gas tank. EVs also employ electric motors rather than gas engines, which create a variety of greenhouse gases as byproducts of combustion.

Rather than filling up your EV at a gas station, you plug it into a charger while not in use, exactly as you do with your phone and other portable electronics.

EVs frequently outperform gasoline vehicles in terms of performance, efficiency, and internal storage capacity. When compared to comparable vehicles, they are also more expensive, but prices have come down over the years, and many EV models qualify for federal tax credits, state credits and rebates, and other programs.

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How Electric Vehicles Work

Electric vehicles operate by storing energy in batteries and using that energy to power an electric motor. The batteries are typically charged by plugging them into a charging station, however, wireless charging is available, and some EVs can use solar power.

An electric vehicle can have a single electric motor, similar to how gasoline vehicles have an engine, or each wheel might have its own electric motor. A single motor is normally more cheap and affordable, although EVs with separate motors can provide better handling and even perform feats such as "tank turning" that gasoline vehicles cannot.

A "tank turn," while not always practicable, is a fascinating maneuver in which a vehicle revolves in position without going forward or backward.

When an EV has to slow down, its motor can be run in reverse and used as a generator. Regenerative braking is a mechanism that allows the EV to charge its own batteries, reclaim some squandered energy, and enhance efficiency.

EVs with all-wheel drive, or one motor per wheel, can reclaim even more energy when slowing down.

Because electric vehicles do not require large gasoline engines, transmissions, or other components, they are generally more spacious inside than gasoline vehicles. More storage is frequently available, with some EVs offering both a standard trunk in the back and a frunk, or front trunk, in the space where a gasoline vehicle's engine would be.

EVs are also significantly quieter to operate, which is a result of using battery-powered motors rather than gas-powered engines.

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How Are EVs Charged?

Although basic hybrid electric vehicles charge themselves while driving, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids must be plugged in to charge. Charging can occur at a municipal or commercial charging station, as well as a residential charging station.


Charging stations are available in companies, petrol stations, and apartment buildings, and you may even install one in your own home.

Charging an electric vehicle is similar to charging any other device. Instead of a gas cap that must be removed to add fuel, EVs have an electrical link. To charge an EV, connect the charging cable from a charging station to the vehicle's charging connector, and the batteries charged.

Fast charge stations provide power more quickly, but lower-powered home chargers are designed to charge slowly over time.

Wireless charging is also available and functions similarly to wireless phone charging. Vehicles that support this technology have a wireless charging receiver incorporated into the undercarriage, and charging is accomplished by parking the vehicle over a wireless charging mat.

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Who Is an EV Designed For?

Electric vehicles are intended for everyone, and there are versions to suit almost any situation. From inexpensive family sedans and hatchbacks on one end of the scale to two-door supercars on the other, EV trucks, SUVs, and crossovers are available.

While almost everybody should be able to locate an EV that meets their needs, EVs are better suited to certain situations than others. The most significant limiting aspect is charging, which might be a problem for some people due to their living situation.

Keeping an EV charged can be difficult if you live in an apartment or condo community that does not provide EV charging. The same is true if you live in a house with no garage. Some cities have EV charging infrastructure, however, it may not be available where you reside.

The range has also been a sticking point in the past, but if it was ever your major stumbling block, you should have a look at the current options. Long-range EV ranges are competitive with gasoline car ranges, and charging stations are available in many regions.

If there aren't enough charging stations near where you live and travel, that will most certainly change in the next years.

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Why the Auto Industry Is Switching to EVs

EVs have been around for over a century, but they have been largely overshadowed by gasoline vehicles for the majority of that period. The automobile industry has always experimented with technology, but it was only recently that battery capacity and other significant breakthroughs allowed EVs to compete with gasoline vehicles in terms of range and performance.

Even though EVs are currently a minor part of the overall automotive industry, the industry has begun to migrate toward battery power and away from fossil fuels. Part of this is due to the industry's belief that consumer demand would rise as people grow more familiar and comfortable with EVs, but there is also a regulatory factor at play.

Some states have already established timetables to phase out the sale of new gasoline automobiles, and others are likely to follow suit. A federal regulation might also eventually put an end to the sale of new gas-powered vehicles across the country. That is likely to happen in the next years, if not decades, but the car industry wants to be ready when it does.

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EV Ownership and Operating Cost

For a variety of reasons, the expenses of owning and operating an EV are typically cheaper than the costs of owning and operating a comparable fuel car. License and tag costs are lower in some locations, EVs are less expensive to charge than gasoline vehicles, and EVs require less ongoing maintenance.

Buying an EV may also be less expensive than you think, thanks to a federal EV tax credit that applies to most EVs and state incentives that can further lower the price.

Many of the costs associated with owning and operating an EV are location-specific. Some states, for example, offer incentives or do not charge sales tax when you purchase an EV. Additional states charge less for licenses and tags and offer other beneficial initiatives. There is also a federal tax credit available to help with the cost of purchasing an EV, and it applies to the majority of EVs.

The greatest savings come from how much more efficient EVs are. In most circumstances, you'll spend significantly less for electricity than you would for gas to travel the same distance in a comparable fuel vehicle. Electricity prices vary greatly from one location to the next, but some states even offer lower electricity pricing if you charge your vehicle at specific times of the day.

Compared to fuel vehicles, EVs require less continuous maintenance. In contrast to gasoline vehicles, the essential components of an EV, such as the battery, electric motor, and the electronics that connect everything, require little or no regular maintenance.

There are no fluids to replenish on a regular basis, such as engine oil and transmission fluid, and even the brakes last longer thanks to regenerative braking technology.

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EV Range is Greater Than You Think

The range has traditionally been one of the most significant advantages that gasoline vehicles have over electric vehicles, but that gap has narrowed.

There are several short-range EVs ideal for short journeys and in-city driving, but there are also EVs capable of reaching 300 miles or more on a single charge.

Taking an EV on a long road trip still necessitates more advanced planning than driving a gas-powered vehicle, but even this is much easier than it was previously.

Performance: As Good as a Gasoline Vehicle?

Contrary to popular belief, electric vehicles frequently outperform gasoline vehicles in a variety of ways. While EV performance varies by make and model, all EVs benefit from drivetrains that are relatively basic in comparison to fuel vehicles.

When you press the accelerator pedal in an EV, the transition from immobile to moving is limited only by the tyres' capacity to grip the road. There is no ramp up, as the electric motor in an EV can apply all of its available torque the minute the accelerator is depressed, unlike a gasoline-powered vehicle.

In fact, some high-end EVs can accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in less than two seconds. Even a modest hatchback, such as the Nissan Leaf, can reach 60 mph in under nine seconds, as opposed to the 10+ seconds required by the smaller, lighter gas-powered Chevy Spark.

EV Insurance Costs

Insuring an EV is similar to insuring any other car. Because insurance premiums are mostly determined by how much it will cost the insurer to repair or replace your car in the event of an accident, EVs are normally slightly more expensive to insure than gasoline vehicles. However, this is not an uniform rule, and some EVs cost less to insure than the national average.

The simple line is that if you buy an expensive EV that is costly to repair or replace, your insurance prices will reflect that. However, some insurance companies do give savings to electric vehicle drivers, so it's vital to shop around instead of staying with the one you presently have.

How Do I Buy an EV?

With a few differences, the procedure of purchasing an EV is similar to that of purchasing a fuel vehicle. Some EV manufacturers, such as Tesla, sell directly to consumers, which differs from the dealership arrangement you may be accustomed to. Other manufacturers sell through dealerships, so if you go to a showroom for a test drive, you're likely to see EVs right next to fuel vehicles.

Another complication that you are unlikely to encounter while purchasing a gasoline vehicle is that certain EVs are only available as pre-orders. These automobiles are either not yet available or demand has exceeded supply. In some circumstances, you can pay a fee to reserve a pre-order vehicle and then decide whether or not to buy it when it becomes available.

In other circumstances, you can order a vehicle that is customized to your exact requirements, sign a purchase agreement, and then take delivery of the vehicle when it is ready. The exact method will vary depending on the vehicle and manufacturer, so check for information if the vehicle you desire is on pre-order.

Another thing to keep in mind when purchasing an EV is that you may be qualified for tax credits, rebates, and other incentives. Most EVs are eligible for a federal tax credit, which you can apply for when filing your taxes. Some states have extra programs that offer a tax credit, reduced or canceled sales taxes, or even a direct rebate. Before purchasing an EV, research the various programs in your area and, if necessary, talk with a tax professional.