Top 7 Disadvantages Of Electric Cars!

Soaring gas prices and environmental concerns, electric cars are becoming popular as an answer to some of the problems of the auto industry. However, do electric cars have a spotless reputation?

The following are their disadvantages of EVs voiced for some time now.

1. Charging Woes: Electric powered vehicles require charging stations, and for people to travel long distances there needs to be a network of such stations located strategically. Also recharging of batteries often takes about 3 hours, which nowhere matches efficiency of a gas refuel. And of course there's the charging equipment you need to carry along.

2. Traveling distance (Range): The cars can travel only about a 100 miles on an average, and on a single charge. The technology of Chrysler's proposed EVs is supposed to have the cars run longer, though.

3. Lack of power: In general electric cars are still behind gas powered vehicles in their ability to to accelerate and climb quickly.

4. Overloaded batteries: At the heart of electric automobiles are the car's batteries. At the same time, as all other accessories viz. radios, car air conditioners, etc. use up electric power from batteries, they'd drain quickly. And recharging them takes time!

5. They are expensive: Batteries that power these cars are a costly affair. Consider this: The promising and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries cost about US$10,000 each, which for the most part make these cars expensive. And if the batteries last only about 4 years, they could add to the maintenance costs.

6. They cause pollution: Yes, the 'clean & green' electric cars cause pollution too, albeit indirectly. While themselves being clean, there are toxic elements within batteries and which could spew toxic fumes. Further, the cars are powered by electricity, and all of which isn't generated from renewable energy sources. Which means electric power production per se entails pollution.

7. They're Heavy: Batteries are what makes these vehicles heavy. A battery pack of an average electric car can weigh up to a 1,000 pounds or 450 kg (approx.) This a disadvantage because weight puts pressure on batteries and they drain out faster.

While the prospect of electric vehicles seems promising, electric vehicles don't appear to be a panacea and have their own share of shortcomings. Hybrids don't seem to be flawless either, see: 11 Exclusive Disadvantages Of Hybrid Cars!. Consequently, a purchase decision in favor of EVs or hybrids might not be all that simple.