Electric Car Vs. Gas Car Pros And Cons

May 7, 2021

Electric cars versus gas cars each have their pros and cons. Looking to purchase a new vehicle? Are you wondering whether to go with gas or electric? Read on to see our pros and cons for each in relevant categories.

Does Gas Or Electric Have Better Speed?

Speed can be broken into fastness and quickness. Here’s the speed pros and cons for gas and electric vehicles.

Gas Vehicle Speed Pros And Cons

Pro: Gas vehicles generally have higher top speeds than electric vehicles. This makes them faster than electric cars.
Con: Some power generated by the engine is routed to the drivetrain. This results in less torque.

Electric Car Speed Pros And Cons

Pro: Electric vehicles are quicker than gas vehicles. They can typically get from point A to point B faster.
Pro: Electric vehicles generate torque more efficiently than gas cars.
Con: As of now, electric vehicles are typically not able to reach the top speeds of gas cars.

Are Electric Or Gas Vehicles More Cost Effective?

When it comes to costs, both electric and gas vehicles have advantages. Gas is more short term while electric is long term.

Gas Car Cost Pros And Cons

Pro: Gas vehicles are initially cheaper than electric cars.
Con: With gas vehicles, you are stuck paying for regular maintenance. Oil changes, coolant and transmission fluid are a few examples of costs you only pay with gas vehicles.
Con: Gas vehicles force you to pay for gas. Some have worse fuel-efficiency, thus making you pay for gas more often.

Electric Vehicle Cost Pros And Cons

Pro: Over the lifetime of a vehicle, electric cars are cheaper.
Pro: A fully charged electric car costs under $7 in electricity on average. An average gas vehicle costs about $40. In fairness, gas cars will typically have better range at these rates.
Pro: Skip maintenance costs! There are many regular maintenance procedures you will never have to worry about with electric cars, like oil changes.
Pro: Electric vehicle tax credits help save money on the higher upfront costs.

Do Electric Or Gas Cars Have Better Range?

Gas cars can go farther. However, with the average miles driven per day, it doesn’t matter most of the time.

Gas Vehicle Range Pros And Cons

Pro: Gas cars can go 250-300 miles on a tank per average. So, you don’t really have to worry about it most of the time.
Pro: Filling up your gas tank is fast.
Pro: Gas stations are everywhere. If you are on a trip, you can always keep going.
Con: You can’t fill up at home, unless you have an abundance of gas there!

Electric Car Range Pros And Cons

Pro: Some electric vehicles, like the Tesla Model S, have a range of 250-300 miles. This rivals their gas counterparts.
Pro: On average, people drive 30 miles per day. So, the concerns about electric vehicle range won’t apply most of the time.
Pro: Charge your electric car at home or at work. You don’t have to stop at the gas station. You can charge your car at home or at work.
Pro: Some workplaces have priority parking spaces for electric vehicles. These even come with charging stations.
Pro: As electric cars become more popular, more and more charging stations are popping up.
Con: Ranges are typically lower than gas vehicles. The battery won't get you as far as a gas tank.
Con: It can be hard to find a charging location in a rural area.
Con: Charging your electric vehicle takes much longer than filling up gas. The way it is right now, electric vehicles really aren’t equipped for road trips with long drive times. The exception is if you plan charging times for your trip accordingly.

Are Gas Or Electric Vehicles Better For The Environment?

It’s simple. Electric vehicles are better for the environment. Whether they're powered by solar or batteries, their are no emissions from electric vehicle tailpipes.

Gas Car Environmental Cons

Con: Gas vehicles have tailpipe emissions.
Con: Gas vehicles contribute to toxic waste. Leftover oil, fluid, etc. is not biodegradable.

Electric Vehicle Environment Pros And Cons

Pro: Electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions.
Pro: Electric cars are not directly powered by fossil fuels.
Con: Where the electricity to charge your vehicle comes from matters. Often, you will be using electricity from a coal power plant to charge your vehicle. Until the source of the power is clean, electric vehicles aren’t totally beneficial to the environment.
Con: The production of electric vehicles, just like gas vehicles, typically comes with emissions.

Other Electric Vehicle Pros

Electric cars can be battery powered, hybrid or solar. There are two main types of electric cars: all electric vehicles (AEVs) and plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). AEVs can either be battery powered (BEVs) or powered by fuel cells (FCEVs). Electric vehicles are lesser known than internal combustion conventional vehicles. Because of this, there are some pros to electric vehicles that are overlooked. Here’s a list of some of the electric vehicle pros that we left off:

Electric vehicles are quiet
Electric cars have high performance. Less energy is wasted, they have more torque, and the drive is smoother
Electric vehicles get preferential driving lanes and parking spots

Getting A New Vehicle? Donate The Old One!

Learning about electric cars vs. gas cars may lead you to a new car purchase. Whether you choose to get a gas or electric vehicle, you are still left with your used car. The best option for your old vehicle is to donate it to Wheels For Wishes.

Wheels For Wishes benefits your local chapter of Make-A-Wish. So, your unwanted car actually helps to grant wishes for children facing critical illness! It’s a no brainer! Plus, it pays to donate. That’s right, your donation comes with a tax-deductible receipt. You benefit local kids, and yourself when you donate to Wheels For Wishes.

On top of all that, we come to you with free towing. Donate today by calling 1-855-278-9474 or fill out our easy online donation form.