10 Reasons Why Electric Cars Are Bad – The Hidden Truth

Electric cars, fondly named to be the transport of the future, hold out the promise of a cleaner, greener alternative for driving. But are electric vehicles free of problems? Issues range from high costs and a limited range before refueling to concerns over the environmental impacts.

Even the power supply for charging electric vehicles is derived from non-renewable sources, meaning that these vehicles are not so environmentally friendly after all. As sustainable as they may seem, they come with a bunch of disadvantages that people seem to be unaware of. In this article, we will discuss 10 key reasons electric cars are bad and don’t necessarily live up to the hype.

Explore The Top 10 Reasons Why Electric Cars Are Bad

Electric vehicles have grown immensely in a span of a couple of years. They have been gaining a lot of attention for being a cleaner and greener alternative to the regular gasoline-powered vehicle. They mostly have earned a reputation and stand out due to the concerns regarding climate change and increasing fuel prices.

EVs have attracted many environmentally conscious customers and industries. In the beginning, these cars were a bit pricey and offered very little range and absolutely no charging infrastructure.

After some time, advances in battery technology, government incentives, and increasing environmental concerns have now placed electric vehicles firmly in the center of attention. Many automobile companies now offer a wide range of electric models, from compact cars to SUVs and trucks, which has made the market entirely more accessible to consumers.

However, there are always some disadvantages associated with many advantages. Disadvantages like limited driving range, relatively long charging times, and high up-front costs have begun to slow down the electric vehicle’s conquests.

Also, the environmental footprint of battery production and eventual disposal, as well as the stress on electric grids, become critical considerations regarding the complexities of transitioning to an all-electric transportation system. Read further to know detailed explanations of these disadvantages.

1. Environmental Impact

Electric vehicles may seem like an eco-friendly option due to zero tailpipe emissions reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases and not having to use up fossil fuels for gasoline. However, they do still contribute to the environment during production.

The production of EV batteries involves energy and raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, extracted by mining with all the adverse environmental and ethical implications that accompany such practices. It can even lead to other environmental issues such as deforestation, water pollution, and soil erosion.

Moreover, the charging required from these vehicles comes from electricity, and most power grids in the USA use natural gas, nuclear, and coal, which means EV cars still use a percentage of the natural resources of the earth.

And then there is the matter of disposal and recycling of used-up batteries. While EVs are cleaner on a lifecycle-wide basis, of course, the overall environmental impact will still largely depend upon the production method of the batteries and recycling methods, as well as the source of the energy in the grid.

These reasons why electric cars are bad for the environment should, in general, lessen further as technology improves, but it is also important to keep in mind that electric vehicle technology is not a solution for environmental sustainability.

2. Driving Range Anxiety

Range anxiety is probably still the most prominent hindrance to the wider spread of electric vehicles. Several drivers are still anxious about the short range of electric vehicles as compared to conventional gasoline-fueled vehicles.

An average EV provides 200-300 miles, which also depends on how much the vehicle is charged before having to stop and charge again. In this case, it can increase the driver’s anxiety because what if you’re on a long road trip and there isn’t any pump with charging infrastructure?

Moreover, the miles an EV provides also depend on the cost of the vehicle. Cars providing more than 300 miles are usually more expensive and start from approximately $35K. cheaper EV cars ultimately result in a lesser driving range, below 200 miles.

This can result in inconveniences for road trips or daily commutes in areas lacking plentiful charging stations. This kind of anxiety is attributed to the fear of running out of battery power when not accessible to a charging station, especially in rural or remote locations.

3. Lack Of Charging Infrastructures

One of the biggest barriers to the mass adoption of electric vehicles is their lack of sufficient charging infrastructure. While public charging stations are being constructed in consistent numbers, they are still far short of the number required in order for a fully electric car market to be practical, at least in more remote areas and developing regions.

In many places, it turns out drivers are not able to reach reliable fast charging stations when covering long distances or being out of urban areas. These charging stations that are out of reach lead to “range anxiety,” where one fears being unable to run on the current charge before receiving a recharge.

Regardless, some gas stations offer charging stations too, but there is no guarantee that each station will be available with a charging infrastructure. A gasoline-powered car can drive for 400 miles on a single fuel tank and will still be assured a gas station will be easily available and accessible.

Charging speed can be hugely variable; some stations will offer units that will charge an EV to full capacity in hours, and others may have much faster charge stations. Asthe number of EVs on the road is increasing, the charging network needs to expand and become much more accessible, bringing more competent stations faster and with greater reliability in desirable locations.

Other than that, not everyone has a garage where they can set up a charging infrastructure at their homes. And even if they do, it still leads to an impact on the environment from consuming all that electricity and energy and also an increase in your electricity bill.

Installing fast chargers will also greatly impact your vehicle’s battery and consume large amounts of electricity.

4. Using Immense Electricity

As we’ve already discussed, extra charging times, repetitive charging due to lack of driving range, and overall charging needed from electricity are still impacting the environment as well as your electricity bill.

As attractive as EVs are because they can be powered by electricity generated from any source, including renewable sources, in most countries, the majority of electricity used to charge an EV is still generated by fossil fuels. That could prove very challenging on local power grids.

Increased use of EVs increases the total amount of electricity used, which can lead to peak hour demand with possible shortages of power or greater emissions if the energy source is not positively produced. Upgrading electrical infrastructure for most homes and businesses may be necessary to support increased loads associated with charging, which ultimately is a very expensive measure.

For the full environmental benefit of EVs, the energy to power them should be renewable, based on wind or solar.

5. They Catch On Fire

Lithium-ion batteries, used as the power source for most electric vehicles, are excellent when it comes to efficiency but can overheat or short-circuit under certain conditions and result in a fire. But the main problem is fighting an EV on fire. Known methods of fighting fires simply do not work. In order to stop an EV from burning, one must drown it in water, which doesn’t always work and greatly pollutes the water too.

EVs burn so rapidly because of thermal runaway. One cell ignites, and then there’s nothing to do but stand by and watch the fires until it all burns out. The simplest technique for fighting a fire is to cut the oxygen, but since a car’s battery is its own self-sustaining source of oxygen, you can’t do that either.

In addition, there is also an increased likelihood of fire with respect to an EV that has been involved in a serious accident or improperly charged and maintained poorly.

As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, manufacturers have to improve safety protocols, designs for batteries, and fire prevention mechanisms, quelling these issues and assuring people of the safety of the electric vehicle.

6. Battery Degradation

This is the main concern of potential EV buyers, as the degradation of batteries directly affects range and performance over time. Since most EVs use lithium-ion batteries, this kind of battery has a declining capacity to hold a charge over time. Thus, the driving range of an EV and consequently the efficiency of the vehicle decline after several years.

The factors, such as high temperature, too frequent fast charging, and also the number of charge cycles, aid the degradation of the battery.

Most electric vehicle manufacturers warranty for at least 8 years or more of battery performance. Although modern batteries may last longer than the earliest models, any degradation cannot be avoided when thinking of owning an electric vehicle.

The driving distance is reduced, meaning more frequent charges or longer charging times are required. Replacement of the battery is also expensive, although this has generally trended downwards with technology development.

7. Highly Costly

Another issue with EVs that did not make it to our top 5 reasons why electric cars are bad but are equally significant is that they tend to be more expensive outright than gas-powered cars .While prices have been steadily decreasing over time as battery technology improves and economies of scale kick in, EVs still tend to carry a premium price tag.

Batteries alone end up being a huge cause for high costs. Government incentives and tax rebates can partly help reduce upfront costs, but the incentives do not cover all consumers and will likely phase out once the cars become mainstream. For an individual, the higher price tag is a major turn-off, especially when budget-friendly options come knocking in the conventional car market.

Other than that, maintenance costs still exist. You may not have to typically pay for the “oil changes” as you would for a gas-powered car, but you still need to replace the tires every now and then as they wear out quickly due to the torque these batteries produce.

Battery replacements are also highly costly; the average cost just for the battery can range from $5,000 to $15,000, and extra labor charges can range from $900 to $2,000.

Purchasing an EV will require you to install an EV charging station at home, which itself costs $800 to $2,500 depending on the type of charger, wiring, accessories, electrical panel, and labor costs. The power bill can also become expensive to pay for from all the charging required.

8. Use Of Rare Materials

Another critical challenge posed by EVs is their dependence on rare materials, which typically overcomes their apparent environmental advantage. Lithium-ion batteries form the foundation upon which most EVs rely, and the production of such variants requires four rare minerals: lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.

Such processes usually harm the environment and bring forth serious ethical issues at the extraction stages of these minerals. Mining operations, especially in developing countries, create massive environmental devastation through large-scale deforestation and habitat destruction, leading to water poisoning and poor working conditions.

For example, cobalt has been linked to human rights abuse, such as the use of child labor and poor mining practices. The materials will also likely continue to experience a worldwide surge in demand as more car manufacturers switch to electric vehicles, pushing the already strained resources to new extremes.

9. Not Enough Thrill

While electric vehicles have made extraordinary strides in terms of performance, they still lack some of their gasoline-powered counterparts in top speed and driving dynamics. Most electric cars can accelerate far more quickly than gasoline-burning cars because of the instant torque created by electric motors, but lower-priced options tend to have a lower top speed than their internal combustion engine equivalents.

Moreover, much of the renewed emphasis on efficiency and range means that electric cars are tailor-made for everyday use rather than for high-performance driving and thus severely limited in appeal to enthusiasts.

Although the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air are exemplary representations of what high-performance electric vehicles can do, an overwhelming number of models still fall short in handling, thus placing them in the less desirable lists for car buyers belonging to certain segments. Technology should continue to advance, hopefully bridging the performance gap, but for now, EVs are probably not going to be the best bet for those seeking speed.

10. Cold Weather Issues

Low temperatures are indeed a real challenge when it comes to electric vehicles because they react very slowly at low temperatures, significantly reducing their efficiency and especially their capacity. In this regard, an EV could lose up to 20-40% of its range during winter months, depending on how cold it is. Another factor is that in low temperatures, in order to keep the cabin warm, it drains even more battery.

There are also a few aspects related to the general driving process. Extreme weather conditions may cause the cars’ tires to lose some of their pressure and can hence be less efficient, which may reduce handling performance.

The charging time may also be longer in cold temperatures. This is mainly because the battery seems to take longer times to charge when they are in their cold state. Although thermal management systems are included within recent models of EVs, which can mitigate some of these effects, cold weather conditions continue to be almost unsurpassable for EVs, at least in regions where the winters are even somewhat extreme.

Related FAQs

Electric cars certainly promise to bring down emissions much more drastically than gasoline-burning vehicles. But their environmental impact is far more complex than one might first assume.

In fact, these reasons why electric cars are bad cover a wide range of issues from battery production to resource extraction, grid strain, and end-of-life disposal. These factors highlight how the environmental footprint of EVs is not as straightforward as it may seem, making them a less-than-perfect solution for both the environment and, in some cases, society at large.