Will Electric Cars Ever Replace Gas-Powered Cars?

Gas-powered cars have been a primary mode of transportation for over 100 years now. Having evolved a great deal since the creation of the first gas-power car, this mode of transport has one major disadvantage – it relies on fossil fuels. When electric cars first entered the public market they seemed to represent a symbol of new environmental hope in the automotive industry. However, electric cars still seem to be a very long way off taking over from gas-powered cars in terms of popularity. This leads to the question, can electric cars ever replace gas-powered cars?

A Little History of Gas Powered Cars

To understand just how dependent people are on gas-powered cars, it’s useful to take a look at the history of gas-powered cars. There are some disagreements about when the very first gas-powered car was created. However, the first popularized, mass-produced gas-powered car dates back to 1908. The Model T car was created by Henry Ford’s Ford Motor company. Henry Ford’s innovation in mass production meant that these cars could be produced relatively quickly and cheaply, meaning that they were a much more affordable option for most consumers.

Gas cars have become the main method of transportation for the average consumer for over a century now. Although innovations in electric cars are promising, are they enough to replace this historic form of transportation?

What Is the Market for Electric Cars Today?

Electric cars have increased in popularity since they were first invented, but they still trail behind their gas-guzzling alternatives. Globally, electric cars make up just over 2% of the number of cars bought every year. Despite their eco-friendly status, electric cars are still some way off holding a major share in the automotive industry. There is a range of reasons why electric cars hold such a small percentage of the automotive marketplace, the first of these reasons is affordability.

Affordability

The most commonly cited reason why consumers choose to purchase a gas-powered car over an electrical is because of the cost. The upfront cost of purchasing an electric vehicle is much higher than a gas-powered alternative. The higher price tag of an electric vehicle is due to the higher manufacturing costs of this type of car.

What is yet to fully enter the public consciousness is the running cost of electric cars compared to the running cost of gas-powered cars. The maintenance and general running costs of an electric vehicle are generally much lower than a gas car. Some people have already taken notice of this, which is why luxury electric sedans are becoming a popular alternative to expensive, large gas-powered cars. Not only does it cost you less to maintain and run an electric car but electric vehicle owners are usually offered some incentives from the government such as tax deductions.

Battery Life

Another reason why consumers aren’t flocking to purchase electric cars is due to battery life. Historically, electric cars would run on cobalt-based systems that were both expensive to manufacture and offered a disappointingly short battery life. This meant that electric cars were impractical for people who regularly used their vehicles to make long journeys. The limited battery life of electric vehicles also meant that they were an impractical solution for people who lived in more rural areas. This is because accessible charging points are much more common in densely populated urbanized spaces.

What Is the Future of the Electric Car Industry?

The electrical vehicle industry is by no means blind to the obstacles that have prohibited it from becoming a major market player. Innovations that are combating customer pain points are already apparent in the electric vehicle industry. One of the most influential of these technological innovations is the nickel-based battery system. The nickel-based battery system costs much less to produce than the cobalt-based system. This means that manufacturers can produce electric cars at a much more affordable price tag. Not only are nickel-based batteries combating issues with cost but they also transform the practicalities of owning an electric vehicle. This is because nickel-based systems increase electrical battery life by two or three times.

A Sustainably Focused Future

Public awareness of the problems of climate change has increased hugely in recent years. Not only are people now much more aware of the dangers of climate change but they are actively changing their habits to live more sustainably. Researchers have found that the average consumer in 2021 makes a conscious effort to shop more sustainably. Studies also found that consumers are actively seeking out sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives when shopping.

This shift in the public consciousness, specifically, this change in consumer values is sure to have an impact on the automotive industry. As more people look to purchase electric vehicles due to the environmental benefits, more money flows to the industry and further innovations can be made.

It is not only the average consumer that is showing a growing prioritization of sustainability but also businesses and governments across the world. With governments pledging to drastically cut carbon emissions, the electric vehicle industry is gaining more support than ever before. Local authorities are increasing the availability of electric charging ports. The increased accessibility of electric charging ports means that owning an electric vehicle is a practical option for a broader number of people.

Will Electric Vehicles Replace Gas-Powered Cars?

Gas-powered cars have been around for over a hundred years and in that time they have undergone a series of improvements and innovations. Comparatively, electric vehicles are still in their infancy. Electric vehicles have already replaced gas-powered cars for a proportion of the population. As technology continues to evolve and demand for environmentally friendly alternatives continues to increase, innovations in the electric vehicle industry are set to have a major impact. Already electric vehicles are becoming more practical and accessible for the general population. If consumer demands for sustainable, environmentally friendly goods continues there is no reason to believe that electric cars will not become the most popular choice for the average consumer.