19 Things About EVs You Need To Know!

Posted on: Feb 2, 2022 | | Written by:

19 Things About EVs You Need To Know!

Published on February 2, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Forward-thinking countries all over the world are increasingly encouraging their citizens to opt for fuel-efficient vehicles like EVs instead of conventional cars to reduce pollution and save the environment. India is catching up too in this regard. Electric vehicles, being good-looking and not dependent on costly fossil fuels, are slowly gaining public attention. However, there’s still a lot of confusion about EVs (their affordability, batteries, and the like). So, here are 19 things you should know about them before getting yourself one. And make sure you get a third-party car insurance to stay protected financially in case of any unexpected event.

1) The source of electricity

Your local electricity supplier and electrical grid will power your EV, just like they do your home. It’s a myth that charging your EV will cause failure in the power system. Utility suppliers are used to upgrading their infrastructure to meet demands.

2) How the outside temperature affects the EV range

Extreme temperatures reduce the range of the EV. However, since such conditions can lead to irreversible battery cell damage, EVs are designed to heat or cool the pack as necessary. You can downsize the impact of extreme temperatures on your EV range by scheduling your departure so that the vehicle and its cabin become preconditioned.

3) How eco-friendly EVs are

EVs produce fewer greenhouse gases than conventional cars. While a gas car emits greenhouse gases after approximately 27,000 miles of driving, an EV can pull through at least 60,000 miles. Moreover, EVs draw electricity from the electrical grid, which is in the middle of transitioning to renewable sources for energy production.

4) EVs and their electromagnetic radiation

SINTEF, a Norwegian research group, found that the electromagnetic radiation inside EVs is negligible and well below the limits the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection recommends.

5) The range you need

While the range you need depends on various factors, here’s a general breakdown:

● If you drive up to 100 miles/day

- Cities (150+ miles)

- Suburbs (200+ miles)

- Highways (250+ miles)

● If you drive more than 100 miles/day

If you don’t mind 45-minute breaks to charge your EV: 250+ miles

If you don’t want to take 45-minute charging breaks:

- 300+ miles to travel up to 200 miles

- 350+ miles to travel 200-300 miles

- Stick with conventional vehicles to travel more than 300 miles

6) Can you tow with an EV?

Ideally no, because EVs aren’t meant to tow—or not much, at least.

7) Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): Brilliant or dumb?

A brilliant PHEV has an electric motor that generates over 100 horsepower and runs for at least 20 miles on electricity.

8) What happens when the battery of an EV drains

Typically, when the battery has a low charge, the EV reduces the power available and alerts the driver to charge the vehicle or stop driving.

9) What the new terms and acronyms mean

Here are some terms and acronyms you should know:

BEV: Battery-electric vehicle

Charger: The hardware in the EV that converts alternating current to direct current to charge the battery EVSE: Electric-vehicle supply equipment (used to connect the EV to an electricity source)

10) When will Americans start buying EVs in large volumes

It’s likely that by 2025, many Americans will own an EV.

11) Do EV batteries degrade the same way as cell phone batteries?

Yes, an EV’s batteries deteriorate the same way as a cell phone’s do when you charge them to maximum capacity and use them until they die due to weakened cell anodes.

12) How to prep your garage for an EV

You need a 240-volt circuit to charge the EV and an additional electricity line to your house if your current electrical supply can’t handle the extra load.

13) Can you make do without 240-volt home charging?

A 120-volt circuit can take days to replenish large battery packs, so ideally, you want a 240-volt charging point. However, the story is different if you have access to charging equipment elsewhere or drive less than 30 miles/day.

14) How the EV tax credit works

As of now, Americans get a one-time tax break ranging between $2,500 and $7,500 (based on EV battery capacity) if taxes exceed the amount for which the vehicle is eligible.

15) Are used EVs a good deal?

No, because EVs depreciate faster than gas-powered cars. However, Tesla cars retain their value relatively well.

16) Whether an EV is cheaper to own than a gas car

Considering all factors, including the federal tax credit, having an EV costs approximately the same as owning a gas car.

17) Will EVs ever cost the same as today’s cheapest gas cars?

Based on the range and segment, the price of small EVs could fall to below $3,000 by 2030.

18) An imminent battery breakthrough?

While new cell types might arrive as early as 2025, they’re unlikely to be affordable. Budget-friendly EVs with such advanced battery technology could be a decade away.

19) Should I buy an EV now?

Don’t put off buying an EV for another year and start planning the purchase now because the perks only keep decreasing over time.

To wrap up, now is the best time to bring home an electric vehicle, do your bit for the environment and save money in the long run. And as mentioned before, ensure you have third-party car insurance coverage for the same, so that you can stay on the right side of the law.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Why We Love EV Motor Insurance (And You Should, Too!)

The Next Big Green Thing in Auto Industry: Electric Vehicle (EV)

Public EV Charging In India - All You Need To Know!