Cover Photo: One of Jeep’s hybrid SUVs, coming in 2023
Hybrid and electric vehicles have become more widespread over the past two years, due to increased demand coupled with fuel scarcity. Honda, Ford, BMW, and KIA (as well as other car manufacturers) are all working to expand their electric and hybrid car selection. This electric revolution is not only seen in the world of automobiles though. Companies like LECTRIC and Segway have made great strides in the creation of electric scooters, mopeds, and e-bikes. There are still boundaries to switching over to fully electric personal transport, but the amount of products now offered is on its own reassuring.
The benefits of electric cars are great: not only the main benefit of saving money from the high gas prices, but also the reduction of carbon footprint and the ability to recharge them with a standard wall outlet. There have been great strides in electric car technology as well, creating electric cars that are both normal looking and can be operated without needing to constantly consult the instruction manual. The electric cars of years past were tens of thousands of dollars more expensive than gasoline and diesel alternatives. While this is still the case for some electrics and hybrids, many are more affordable than ever, being only slightly more expensive than standard engine vehicles. However, the major appeal to electrics and hybrids is the lower running costs afterwards.
Even with the higher upfront cost though, the push for electric vehicles isn’t without reason. Fully electric cars don’t consume any fossil fuels, and create no pollution due to the lack of an exhaust pipe. Additionally, electric cars use regenerative braking (the motor slowing the car by downshifting rather than using the friction brakes of a traditional car), which doesn’t call for brake pads. Additionally, Volkswagen and other manufacturers are making strides in their supply chain and battery creation, resulting in electric cars being created even more sustainably than before.
written by Brady George.
