The EV market has been on a tear recently, with no signs of slowing. We have beautiful automobiles and tough electric trucks. While most electric vehicles are stylish, fast, powerful, and equipped with the latest luxury features, the news isn’t all good.
We were promised zero emissions and green rechargeable vehicles that could drive for days, but we’re still a long way off. When it comes to electric vehicles, there are still some drawbacks.
So, while an electric car future is on the horizon, the bigger question is how quickly it will arrive.
Availability
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While electric vehicles are exciting and novel, purchasing and receiving one is currently the most difficult task. Every major player in the automotive space has made moves since the government mandated an increase in electric vehicles, but not quickly enough.
Ford, Kia, Subaru, Toyota, GM, Jeep, Chevrolet, and others have all announced upcoming electric vehicles or plans to do so soon.
Electric trucks are one fascinating but also concerning area. Newcomers like Rivian have released the R1T, but supply constraints and launching a new automotive brand from the ground up have proven difficult.
Tesla is a fantastic example. Despite supply chain issues, Tesla shattered all delivery records in early 2022, but it wasn’t enough. If you order a Tesla today, it will take several months, if not longer, to arrive at your doorstep. In fact, until mid-2023, many models are completely sold out.
Driving range
The base Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE in all-wheel drive has a driving range of around 256 miles per charge, but upgraded models get closer to 300 miles per charge. The standard range version of Tesla’s Model 3 (which is no longer available) only got around 220 miles per charge. That’s not bad, but it’s also not particularly good.
In comparison, a full gas tank will get the 2021 Hyundai Elantra 462 city miles and 602 highway miles.
By the day, electric vehicles will have more efficient motors, larger battery packs, and faster charging speeds. For the time being, however, many people will experience range anxiety. The future appears promising, but it is not entirely here just yet.
Charging time and speeds
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Another feature of electric vehicles that old gas-powered vehicle fans are quick to point out—and they’re not wrong. Charging an EV takes considerably longer than filling up my truck with gas.
EVs are supposed to be simple, low-maintenance, and fun to drive again. However, when you start worrying about where you’ll charge your car, how long it’ll take, and whether you’ll be able to find a fast-charging station, some of the fun fades.
Electrical grid
How will the electric grid cope with EVs from nearly every major manufacturer that require power to keep their batteries charged and ready for a daily commute or road trip? Now, I’m not saying the electric grid can’t handle it or won’t be able to scale with the increased use of electric vehicles, but it is a concern.
It’s a potential issue that will require attention, just as battery capacity, range, and other issues do. Otherwise, EV owners may find themselves charging their vehicles at odd hours to save money.
Towing
While electric trucks are incredibly exciting and hold a lot of promise on and off the road, towing will continue to be a problem for the foreseeable future. Several recent tests show that when towing a trailer or boat, electric trucks lose around half of their range, if not more.
If you have the fancy new F-150 Lightning EV, which is supposed to go over 300 miles on a charge, but it’s loaded with the whole family, gear, and a trailer, you’ll need to find a charging station within 150 miles or less just to be safe. Then you must take a 20-30 minute break to recharge.
Again, it’s not the end of the world, and EV buyers are well aware of these issues, but it’s a problem we hope future vehicles can solve.
We’re not here to tell you not to buy an electric vehicle. There are numerous compelling reasons to purchase one. This is just a reminder that technology is new and evolving, and the all-electric vehicle future we want is still a long way off.
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