Electric Cars: The Law And You

Electric cars are the future of transportation. In the US, the government has already started taking steps to transition to electric vehicles. In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order to end purchases of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This move is expected to lower emissions and promote electric cars. As part of this initiative, the government plans to make 50% of all new vehicle sales electric by 2030.

Similarly, in the UK, sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030. However, new plug-in hybrid petrol-electric and diesel-electric cars can be bought until 2035.

The transition to electric vehicles is being supported by various incentives and investments from both the public and private sectors. For instance, the Inflation Reduction Act in the US provides tax credits for purchases of new and used electric vehicles and incentives to electrify heavy-duty vehicles. In the UK, the government has invested £1.6 billion for the rollout of more EV charging points.

Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, flexibility, and reliability. They are also better for the environment as they do not produce tailpipe pollution, which is linked to asthma, heart attacks, and poor health.

Electric cars are more affordable than ever

The U.S. government is also taking steps to make electric cars more affordable. In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order to end the purchase of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The government owns over 650,000 vehicles and purchases about 50,000 annually, so this move is expected to significantly reduce emissions and promote electric cars. Biden has also proposed tax credits of up to $12,500 for electric vehicle purchases, including an additional $4,500 for buyers of union-made EVs.

There are also other incentives and grants available to make electric cars more affordable. The Inflation Reduction Act, for example, offers tax credits of up to $7,500 for eligible vehicles. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit provides a tax credit of 6% or 30% of the depreciable costs (up to $100,000) for qualified AFV fueling property installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032. The Rural Community Electric Vehicle Direct Loans and Grants program offers direct loans and grants to community-based nonprofit organizations for the purchase of electric vehicles and the installation of EV charging stations.

The cost of owning an electric car is also becoming more affordable. Charging an electric car costs half as much as refueling a comparable gas-powered car, and most electric utilities offer time-of-use rates that reduce costs by billing less for electricity used during off-peak hours. Additionally, electric cars can save consumers thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle compared to conventional cars.

Overall, electric cars are becoming more affordable, and there are a variety of options and incentives available to make the switch from gas-powered vehicles.

Electric cars are the future of motoring

In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order stating that light-duty vehicles acquired by the government will be emission-free by 2027. This is a significant step towards electrifying the government's massive fleet of over 650,000 vehicles. Biden's plan also includes a target to make half of all new U.S. vehicles electric by 2030, including plug-in hybrid-electric models.

The transition to electric vehicles is well underway, with a growing number of electric cars, trucks, and buses on the road. This shift is crucial as nearly 30% of climate-damaging emissions in the U.S. come from transportation. Electric vehicles offer multiple benefits, including reduced emissions, improved public health, affordability, and a growing infrastructure for charging.

In the UK, electric car sales are booming, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for more than 20% of new car registrations in November 2022. The government has invested £1.6 billion in the rollout of more EV charging points, making it easier than ever for drivers to switch to electric.

California is also leading the way, with a goal to make all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the state zero-emission by 2035. This is part of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which include updates to greenhouse gas emission standards.

The electrification of vehicles is gaining momentum, with governments and industries recognizing the importance of reducing emissions and improving sustainability. Electric cars are becoming more affordable, and the infrastructure to support them is expanding.

The future of motoring is undoubtedly electric, and it will play a crucial role in creating a cleaner, more sustainable world.

Electric cars are better for the environment

Electric vehicles (EVs) are better for the environment than their gas-powered counterparts. While they do not live up to the "zero emissions" badge that many fully electric vehicles carry, they are still a lower-emissions option than cars with internal combustion engines. Over the course of their driving lifetimes, EVs will create fewer carbon emissions than gasoline-burning cars under nearly any conditions.

The main source of EV emissions is the energy used to charge their batteries. These emissions vary based on where the car is driven and what kind of energy is used there. For example, in Norway, which draws most of its energy from hydropower, EVs have a minuscule carbon footprint. In countries that get most of their energy from burning dirty coal, the emissions numbers for EVs are still on par with or better than burning gasoline.

EVs are more energy efficient than gasoline vehicles. They use approximately 87%–91% of the energy from the battery and regenerative braking to propel the vehicle. Gasoline vehicles only convert about 16%–25% of the energy from gasoline into movement.

In addition, the U.S. government plans to end purchases of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This will lower emissions and promote electric cars.

Electric cars are more reliable and flexible

Reliability

While electric vehicles (EVs) are often praised for their cost-saving benefits, some have questioned their reliability. In 2024, Consumer Reports found that EVs had 79% more reliability issues than gasoline or diesel vehicles, and plug-in hybrids had 146% more issues. However, this is an improvement from the previous year, where EVs had 42% more problems than gas-only cars.

The main issues with EVs tend to be with their electric motors, charging components, and batteries. However, these problems are often covered under warranty and are not usually complex mechanical issues. In fact, the simplicity of electric drivetrains means there are no oil and fluid changes, brake issues, or other major mechanical issues that plague traditional gas vehicles.

Flexibility

Electric cars offer drivers more flexibility in terms of cost and maintenance. Federal, regional, and local incentives can reduce the purchase price of EVs by thousands of dollars, often making them less expensive than similar gasoline cars. Additionally, the more you drive an electric car, the more you save on fuel, especially as gasoline costs rise.

The lack of complex mechanical issues in electric cars also means lower maintenance and service costs. There are no oil and fluid changes, and brakes tend to last longer due to the use of regeneration to slow the car. Electric cars also do not require valve adjustments, replacement of exhaust systems, or other major mechanical issues that are common in traditional gas vehicles.

While electric cars may have had some reliability issues in the past, they are continually improving and becoming more reliable over time. The flexibility and cost-saving benefits of electric cars, combined with their reduced maintenance and service needs, make them a more reliable and flexible option for drivers.

Electric cars are cheaper to maintain

Maintenance costs for an EV are estimated at 6.1 cents per mile, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for a conventional car with an internal combustion engine. This is because EVs have fewer moving parts and don't have components like spark plugs, oil filters, or timing belts, which require regular maintenance or replacement.

EVs also don't require oil changes, which typically cost around $45 each, or around $200 per year. Additionally, electricity is a cheaper fuel than gasoline, resulting in further savings for EV owners.

The higher upfront cost of an EV can be offset by the lower maintenance and fuel costs over time. For example, Consumer Reports found that EV owners can save thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle compared to conventional cars, including up to $4,700 in fuel costs in the first seven years.

By 2035, all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California will be zero-emission vehicles, and the U.S. government plans to end purchases of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, demonstrating a shift towards more sustainable and cost-effective transportation options.

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