What are the unapparent benefits to electric vehicle owners?
Still thinking about how to differentiate your products or services for electric vehicle (EV) owners? Or maybe you’re a consumer or business that is keen to make the switch from petrol and diesel cars.
Whatever the case, there are more ways to look at the industry beyond sustainability. While this is one of the most critical topics to date, electrification will also provide great benefits in the long term, making it a worthwhile investment.
Consider the costs before buying an EV
What’s so appealing about EVs is that they don’t actively emit carbon dioxide emissions, the exciting looking designs that we are witnessing today, and, for many power-hungry drivers, the speeds that electric propulsion provides.
What’s more, technology has become one of the main differentiators in the industry with prospects for convenience through 5G and the internet of things (IoT), which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel or even eliminate the steering wheel altogether.
But one of the factors hindering consumer adoption of EVs is the cost, which can be looked at from various perspectives. The cost of buying an EV, which is significantly higher than new petrol or diesel cars. Many drivers also scout their next mode of transport via the second-hand car markets, meaning there are less options available to them at their desired price range.
But, with fossil-fuel-powered vehicles comes more moving parts and higher maintenance requirements to keep them functioning as they should—not to mention internal combustion engines (ICEs) lose efficiency over time. Through digital means and connected car solutions, manufacturers are able to carry out software updates to their vehicles remotely, meaning the majority of maintenance procedures can be achieved without the need to enter a garage or dealership.
EVs offer more potential for efficiency
Propulsion is one the most covered topics in the debate between fossil fuel and EVs. A less considered factor in efficiency is braking, which, although it’s a necessary function to ensure safety while driving, ICE vehicles use fuel to stop as well as start. A fact that was perhaps underrated among consumers until now is EVs’ ability to regenerate electricity during braking—appropriately named ‘regenerative braking or regen’.
As an energy provider, EDF Energy also provides electric car leasing packages, making it more convenient for consumers to switch and says that regenerative braking is one of the major benefits that EVs bring. Using the electric motor to aid braking allows the car to put energy back into the battery, meaning it practically produces electricity.
Not only does this improve the range slightly, but it reduces wear and tear on braking components and with more advanced regen coming into the market, drivers can expect to reap the benefits much more with new and updated vehicles.
Less moving parts means intelligent EV upgrades
Fossil-fuel cars required more moving parts, fluids and consistent repairs than EVs. With compact batteries, more power can be contained within a smaller propulsion system and allow for more space inside the vehicle.
The benefits of this can also be seen in the NIO ES8, an EV from the pioneering manufacturer that introduced the capability of battery swapping. Leveraging platform-based chassis technology, electric cars like the ES8 are built for minimal maintenance procedures, of which most of them can be achieved digitally through the cloud.