This article compares electric cars and gas cars to highlight the advantages of each.

Some of you who are more 'conventional' may still be undecided about gas-powered cars' electric cousins. For this reason, we've included a list of the pros and cons associated with electric cars. This will help clear up any knowledge gaps you may have.

Gas vehicles have cheaper fuel but require more maintenance, while EVs have less volatile fuel prices and require less maintenance.

Here are the electric cars vs gas cars pros and cons that you should be aware of before purchasing.

1. Electric Cars vs Gas Cars Compare and Contrast

There are plenty of reasons to love electric cars. They reduce pollution, they're more energy-efficient, and they can save you money over time.

But there's also the flip side. The battery life is shorter than that of a regular car, for one thing - meaning you'll have to charge more often.

Whether or not electric cars are better than gas-powered vehicles has been debated for many years.

Some people argue that the lack of emissions makes them a more environmentally-friendly choice. Others feel that they are too expensive and impractical for everyday use.

This post compares and contrasts the difference between each type of car and explores both sides, providing pros and cons to help you decide which type best suits your needs and other benefits of going green.

2. Differences Between Electric Cars and Gas Cars

2.1 Electric Car Overview

Electric cars, also known as EVs are powered by electricity. Instead of burning gas to power the car, an electric car has a battery and charger system for its engine. This makes them clean, green, and efficient.

2.2 Gas Car Overview

On the other hand, gas cars, also known as ICEs are powered by gasoline. These vehicles use gasoline to turn a small engine, which in turn creates the power to turn the car's gears. 

These vehicles have an engine, exhaust system, and gas tank, and they are less expensive to purchase but more costly to maintain. They have been around for over 100 years and are the most popular car type in the United States.

2.3 Electric Cars vs Gas Cars Differences

Perhaps the most significant difference between electric vehicles and gas-powered vehicles is that they produce zero emissions.

Unlike gas-powered cars, electric cars do not release any emissions, making them more environmentally friendly than their counterparts.

Vehicles that run on gasoline produce harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, which contribute to climate change and respiratory problems.

Electric cars don't have this issue, they can even help improve air quality in cities.

Electric cars are also more efficient than gas-powered vehicles. Gas-powered engines are designed for efficiency, while electric motors provide 100% torque from the get-go, allowing for faster acceleration and better mileage.

Electric motors can also be used in various ways to improve efficiency. For example, they can help change a gasoline engine to a hybrid electric-gasoline engine.

Gas cars cost more to maintain than electric cars, although, in the long run, they can save you money. Electric vehicles have fewer parts, and since they aren't pushing pistons up and down all the time, that means less wear-and-tear! There is no need for an oil change or tune-ups; there is also more consistent power with electric cars because they don't have an engine that has to "rev up;" they have a more consistent power output.

Electric car batteries do lose their ability to hold a charge over time, meaning that after a period of between three and seven years, you will have to replace your battery. In addition, gas cars are less expensive to produce and tend to be cheaper on the market.

Vehicles on the road infographic. Image source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

On the flip side, the ability to recharge at home or work makes them an excellent vehicle for people who don't like going out of their way to find gas stations and those with busy schedules; they can simply plug in when it's not in use. Electric cars also tend to be very quiet since they don't use gas engines, which can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your point of view.

One of the main reasons people do not switch to electric cars is range anxiety. That is, the fear that an electric vehicle will run out of charge before reaching its destination. However, this has been decreasing as battery technology improves; currently, most electric cars can travel over 100 miles on a single charge and recharge through a plug-in system in just a few hours.

3. Pros & Cons Of Electric Cars

Pros of electric cars. Image source: Laurie Kimball

Pros:

#1 Environmentally Friendly

Suppose you are looking to make the environment cleaner, many great reasons to drive an electric car. Electric cars produce zero tailpipes emissions. They also run quieter than conventional vehicles, which means reduced noise pollution. If you're also concerned about saving money on fuel costs, electric cars might be the perfect fit for you!

#2 Low Maintenance

Electric cars are expensive to buy, but they are cheaper to maintain in the long run. This is because they have fewer moving parts, which means there is less chance of a breakdown. You will also save money on items like engine oil, air filter, cooling system flushes, and a vacuum cleaner. All that you need to service are the normal wear and tear items like brakes and tires.

#3 Low Cost Per Kilometer

Electric cars are a good choice for people who want to get the most bang for their buck. Electric cars are often cheaper to run than gas-powered ones so that you can save a lot of money in the long run.

In addition to being lower cost per kilometer, electric cars have fewer moving parts and require way fewer maintenance costs. Electric car owners never have to worry about changing their oil or replacing a muffler!

#4 Good Performance

A petrol or diesel car will get the best performance in an engine range. However, electric vehicles get the best performance right from the start. An electric vehicle's acceleration may be different from a petrol or diesel car, but they are still fast and offer an exciting performance right from the start. Anyone who lives in the city knows that pickup can be challenging, but this part about driving an electric car is effortless.

Cons:

#1 Higher Cost

Electric cars are more expensive to buy than gas cars. That's because battery components are costly and are mostly imported. However, if your daily drive is more than 50km, you should be able to recover this cost in a matter of years, depending on the EV you own.

#2 Limited Fast Charging Network

Not many fast-charging stations are available yet, and the ones set up still aren't fully operational. It can be a significant hurdle while planning road trips, as you may find yourself stuck with an inoperable charging station or, even worse - out of charge entirely.

#3 Range Limitations

Electric cars offer a range between 200-300km. It is not an issue because it can recover in the city with a regenerative drive, but it is only draining on the highway. It wouldn't be a problem if there were a lot of chargers available, but that's not yet the case. And the limited numbers of these chargers make planning a road trip in an EV difficult. Although many of them are listed on Google Maps, many of them are out of order.

#4 Battery Life

The life of a battery pack is limited, just like a smartphone. Over the years, it starts to lose its power capacity. By ten years, it usually goes down to just 40% of the total capacity. 

The warranty for batteries is usually eight years, so you have to purchase a new one by then or else buy an aftermarket one. And since most people are ready to upgrade their car models anyways by this time, there's no point in worrying about battery life at all!

4. Pros and Cons of Gas Cars

Pros:

#1 Easier to find charging stations

Finding a place to charge your electric car can be hard work, but at least you don't have that problem with gas cars! There are thousands of gasoline filling stations across the country, making it extremely easy to fill up when necessary.

#2 Cheaper

Gas cars are cheaper compared to fuel than electric cars. Electricity is usually more expensive than gasoline, which means that it will cost you more per mile, so gas-powered cars offer better value for money in the long run.

Cons:

#1 Volatile price

Since gas cars depend on oil, they are subject to fluctuations in price based on the global market. So if gas prices go up, you're going to feel it in your wallet as well!

#2 Environmental Impact

Gas cars release harmful pollutants to humans and the environment every time they are used, so this is a severe concern for those who care about preserving nature.

You can reduce this with proper maintenance and efficient fuel, but it's still a disadvantage that you don't have to worry about electric cars.

#3 Periodic Maintenance

You have to change your oil regularly with a gas car because it can clog up the engine over time if you don't. You also have to get other tune-ups periodically so you can prolong the lifespan of your engine. Electric cars don't need this type of maintenance since they are powered by batteries, making them much easier and more convenient to own long-term!

5. Final Thoughts

Electric cars are the future. As technology improves and more people become aware of environmental issues, electric cars will gradually replace gas-powered models for good.

Already in some regions like California, they're beginning to phase out gas-powered vehicles altogether! And because EVs don't need oil changes or other types of periodic maintenance that can cost you money long term, it's not difficult to see why this is a wise investment over time, even if it seems expensive upfront.

If you want an EV but already own a gasoline vehicle with lots of life left in it (that is emissions-compliant). There are aftermarket conversions available, so you can also make your car battery-powered!

However, electric cars have fewer environmental impacts; they're an excellent option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint. If being eco-friendly is necessary, then an EV might be right for you!