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3 Main Problems Driving Electric Vehicles and How They Will Be Solved Short Term
Many drivers are thinking about whether to take the leap to buy an electric vehicle but are still concerned about some issues surrounding the EV ecosystem.
When choosing to switch to electric, problems such as the higher car price, limited range, and charging infrastructure availability are heading many people off. But these issues are not so worrying and they will be solved shortly.
Here are the main three that worry us most and their short-term solutions.
1. Expensive to buy
EVs are expensive to buy right now mainly because they are a high technology product, their production is still low, and the supply chain is not ready for such a massive new product category.
Compared with their internal combustion engine equivalents, battery electric vehicles are still more expensive. They can only compete in the luxury segment where high prices can mask the differences. Supply chain components for battery manufacturing and low production volumes hold prices high while car brands try to convert their processes and ramp up production to be able to lower prices.
In two or three years' time, price parity with ICE vehicle equivalent is expected to happen in mid and low-end vehicles as competition gets tougher and the supply chain eases.
2. You can’t drive as far
For some of us used to taking long trips with almost no stops, battery electric vehicles change this paradigm.
Most models are not ready for long trips as their range is lower than 150 miles and would require many charging stops, but some vehicles can drive up to 300 miles making long trips possible with a few charging stops. If you are used to driving 300 or 400 miles at once, this is a habit you need to change, and short 15 to 20 minutes stops every 200 or 250 miles are required.
If you think about it, stopping every 2 or 3 hours should be the minimum to stretch your legs, go to the bathroom or take a snack but, in the mid-term, with new battery chemistries and technologies…