E-Cars v Gas Rigs: Pros and Cons of the Dueling Dynasties of Drive It

It's a classic case of David v Goliath in the vehicle arena, gas rigs v e-cars: the dueling dynasties of motorized movement. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you decide which one is better for you. Gas-Powered Pros Gas rigs are generally cheaper to buy.

Summary:

The up-front cost of a new electric car can be around 2x the price of a gas-powered one.

The refueling process is much quicker. It takes less time to fill your tank up than it does to charge an electric car.

Gas rigs are much more versatile – you can go much farther in one tank of gas than you can in one charge with an electric car.

Gas-Powered Cons

• Gas rigs can cost you a lot more in upkeep and fuel costs in the long run. Not only are electric cars cheaper to operate and maintain, but they’re also more efficient, which means a savings on fuel costs.
• Gas rigs are much more polluting. Electric cars produce zero emissions while gas rigs can produce upwards of 30,000 pounds of CO2 a year – the equivalent to burning 600 gallons of gasoline.
• Gas rigs can be noisy, especially when driving in cities. Electric cars, on the other hand, are quieter and more environmentally friendly.

Electric Car Pros

• Electric cars save you money on fuel. Electric cars are much more efficient than gas-powered vehicles. The average electric car only consumes about 500 watt-hours of electricity per mile, compared to about 2,000 watt-hours for a gas-powered car.
• Electric cars require no oil changes. That’s right, they don’t need any oil changes, ever. That means you’ll save up to $150 a year in maintenance costs.
• Electric cars are much better for the environment. Electric cars produce zero emissions, while gas-powered cars produce upwards of 30,000 pounds of CO2 a year.

Electric Car Cons

• Electric cars are expensive. The up-front cost of a new electric car can be around 2x the price of a gas-powered one.
• Electric cars require charging. It takes time to charge a car’s battery. Depending on how fast a charger is, it can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours to recharge a car’s battery.
• Electric cars have a shorter range. The average electric car can only travel about 200 miles on a single charge. Gas-powered cars can usually travel much farther on a single tank of gas.

The Bottom Line

Gas-powered cars are cheaper to buy and generally have a longer range. However, electric cars require no oil changes, save money on fuel, and produce zero emissions. Ultimately, when it comes to e-cars v gas rigs, you have to decide for yourself which one you think is best for you.