Electric vehicles are often marketed as the future of driving — quiet, efficient, and environmentally friendly. While that is true in many ways, life with an EV is not always the effortless utopia the brochures promise. From charging frustrations to hidden costs, here are ten everyday realities that can take some of the shine off EV ownership.
Limited Public Charging Availability
In urban areas you may find plenty of charging stations, but head into smaller towns or rural regions and things can get tricky. Even when chargers exist, they may be out of service or slower than expected. This means you sometimes need to plan trips around charging rather than simply driving until you feel like stopping.
Charging Times Can Be Long
While gas fill ups take just a few minutes, even fast chargers require you to wait. Depending on your EV and the station, you could be hanging around for 30 minutes to an hour. If you are using a slower Level 2 charger, the wait could stretch to several hours — not ideal if you are in a hurry.
Winter Range Loss
Cold weather is not friendly to EVs. Batteries lose efficiency in low temperatures, meaning your real world range can drop significantly in winter. You may find yourself planning more charging stops or even turning down the heat to stretch your range on icy days.
Expensive Battery Replacement
Batteries can last a long time, but they are not immortal. When the time comes to replace one, it can be shockingly expensive. Even though most owners will never need to replace their battery during normal ownership, the potential cost can hang over your head like a storm cloud.
Home Charging Isn’t Always Easy
If you live in a house with a garage, installing a home charger can be straightforward. But if you live in an apartment or park on the street, charging at home may not be possible. This forces you to rely on public charging, which can add inconvenience and costs.
Higher Insurance Costs
Some insurers charge more for EV coverage due to higher repair costs and specialized parts. Even though the cars themselves might be safe and reliable, you can still end up paying more each month just to keep them insured.
Road Trip Anxiety
Long road trips in an EV can feel like a carefully choreographed dance. You need to map out your charging stops, hope no one else is using the charger when you arrive, and cross your fingers that the station is working. That carefree feeling of hopping in the car and driving wherever you want is harder to achieve.
Limited Used EV Market Knowledge
Buying a used EV can be a gamble if you do not know the battery health or the true range after years of use. While gasoline engines can be inspected for wear, battery degradation is harder to judge without specialized tools.
Resale Value Uncertainty
The resale market for EVs is still developing, and some models have dropped in value faster than expected. Rapid technology changes mean your brand new EV could feel outdated in just a few years, impacting its value.
Not Always Cheaper to Run
While electricity can be cheaper than gas, rising utility rates and expensive fast charging can add up. If you rely heavily on public chargers, especially high speed ones, you might be surprised to find your running costs are not dramatically lower than a fuel efficient gas car.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
