- Several economic and environmental advantages stand out. Electric cars reduce dependence on foreign oil, damage to the environment and air pollution. Without the need for gasoline or diesel, electric-car owners do not suffer from higher gasoline prices. In contrast, electric car owners are spending the equivalent of around 60 cents per gallon to run their vehicles.
- Electric cars are much more efficient compared to gasoline-powered cars. Electric motors use most of their stored energy to propel the car; a gasoline engine uses between 20 and 30 percent of its heat energy to move the car, while the cooling system and exhaust systems dissipate the rest.
- Electric cars may charge their batteries through home electrical outlets. Depending on battery type, it may take from 10 minutes to four hours on average to charge with a range of between 50 and more than 100 miles.
- With a much simpler engine design compared to internal combustion engines, electric cars require little maintenance and last much longer. As prices go down, they are becoming more accessible to the average consumer. As of January 2009, current electric car models range in price from $11,700 to $109,000.
- In the United States, only a handful of states, including California, allow electric cars on public roads and their traffic codes vary. Anyone considering the purchase of electric vehicles should verify traffic regulations before investing in an all-electric model.
- The number of service facilities is limited, which makes it difficult for some electric car owners to bring their vehicles in for repairs if they bought their car out of state.
- The number of available all-electric car models is limited. Consumers expecting to buy an electric car with the standard features and passenger capacity they expect from an average gasoline-powered car will have to spend tens of thousands of dollars.
