Electric cars are becoming the next big thing, but just how much do you know about them? We’ve all heard that they are “green” and good for the environment and we’ve also heard that they don’t run as well or as fast as gas engine cars, but is this all true?

Here are a few facts about electric cars.

Performance

Electric motors have very high torque which means that they can go very fast and have a very rapid acceleration from a standstill. Electric cars are fast and fun!

Cost

The price of electric cars are set by marketing factors, right now they are quite expensive as they are still a relatively new technology and are made in small numbers. The price of electric cars should be cheaper than that of conventional cars because their parts are cheaper and they are cheaper to build, and therefore to maintain. Currently the batteries are expensive and they need to be replaced every 4 to 5 years.

Charging

It is easy to charge an electric vehicle as they can be plugged into most standard home sockets. It’s best to charge your car overnight when the price of electricity is lower and while you are resting and don’t need to use the car. The time of charge varies between different vehicles and is usually between 6 and 8 hours.

A charge station infrastructure is growing all over the country, which will make long journeys feasible.

Range

Just how far can you get in an electric car after one charge? This depends on the type of car and the size of the car’s battery. You also have to take road conditions and driving style into consideration when working out range, the smoother you drive the longer the range. Weather conditions will also affect the car’s range. Very hot or cold weather will have an effect on the battery performance, and this will reduce the car’s range.

Safety

We can see by the safety ratings performed by the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the private Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that electric cars are really very safe! Initially electric cars were considered unsafe but after extensive testing this belief has been put to bed.

The Benefits of Electric Cars

So, what are the benefits of having an electric car? The obvious ones are that they are great to operate, cause less air and noise pollution and are more cost efficient to operate. They are also really cool!