Which Came First The Electric Car or Internal Combustion Engine.
We all know the adage about those who refuse to learn from history—and it seems we learned nothing from the earliest days of electric cars. Go back through the history of the great gas-vs.-electric battle, and you will likely be amazed at the similarities between then and now: Range anxiety, quick charging, electrics as chariots of the elite, Elon Musk as the electric car’s Messiah, even Tesla’s well-publicized battery fires and Ford’s promising new EV—the whole pantomime played out more than 100 years ago, almost exactly as we’re seeing it today.
Who Built the First Electric Car?
Electric cars date back to the dawn of the electric motor, when Hungarian inventor
Ányos Jedlik fitted his “lightning-magnetic self-rotor” of 1827 to a toy car. But it wasn’t until the 1880s that EVs really started to gain traction. Credit the electric trolley: Its speed gave many people their first taste of rapid transit, while large crowds on the cars spurred interest in personal transport. The primary beneficiary was the newly developed safety bicycle, but much of the technology developed for trolley cars—motors, control systems, and batteries—could also be adapted to smaller vehicles.
What Did The First Electric Car Look Like – Bing images
Despite the fact that early electric cars outperformed their internal-combustion competitors, Thomas Edison was seriously impressed by the Quadricycle of 1894.
“Young man, that’s the thing,” he supposedly told Ford.
“Electric cars must be kept near to power stations. The storage battery is too heavy.
Steam cars won’t do, either, for they have to have a boiler and a fire. Your car is self-contained—carries its own power plant—no fire, no boiler, no smoke, and no steam.
You have the thing. Keep at it.”
People of color are as interested in buying electric cars as white consumers –
the biggest obstacle is access to charging (msn.com)
The Quadricycle was Henry Ford’s first attempt to build a gasoline-powered automobile.
It utilized commonly available materials: angle iron for the frame, a leather belt and chain drive for the transmission, and a buggy seat. Ford had to devise his own ignition system. He sold his Quadricycle for $200, then used the money to build his second car.
The Quadricycle was as simple as Ford could make it and utilizes commonly available materials. The frame is made from angle iron, the transmission is a combination of leather belt and chain drive, the seat is from a buggy.
The two-cylinder engine is based on a Kane-Pennington design described in the January 9, 1896, issue of American Machinist magazine. The details of the engine were incomplete, and Ford had to devise his own ignition system.
Originally the engine was air cooled, but it ran too hot and Ford added water jackets to
the cylinders. Ford sold the Quadricycle in late 1896 for $200, which he spent on building his second car. In 1904, with Ford Motor Company becoming successful, he bought the little vehicle back for $65. Engine: Kane-Pennington-Ford, inline 2-cylinder, atmospheric intake valves, overhead exhaust valves, 59 cu. in., 4 hp (est.) Detailed Description
The original Ford Model A is the first car produced by the Ford Motor Company, beginning production in 1903. Ernest Pfennig, a Chicago dentist, became the first owner of a Model A on July 23, 1903;[4] 1,750 cars were made from 1903 through 1904 during Ford’s occupancy of its first facility: the Ford Mack Avenue Plant, a modest rented wood-frame building on Detroit‘s East Side. The Model A was replaced by the Ford Model C during 1904 with some sales overlap.
Ad for the Model A from a December 15, 1903, newspaper.
The car came as a two-seater runabout for $800 or the $900 [5] four-seater tonneau model with an option to add a top. The horizontal-mounted flat-2, situated amidships of the car, produced 8 hp (6 kW). A planetary transmission was fitted with two forward speeds and reverse, a Ford signature later seen on the Ford Model T.
The car weighed 1,240 lb (562 kg) and could reach a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h).
It had a 72-inch (1.8 m) wheelbase and sold for a base price of US$750. Options included
a rear tonneau with two seats and a rear door for $100, a rubber roof for $30 or a leather roof for $50. Band brakes were used on the rear wheels.[1]
However, it was $150 more than its most direct competitor,
the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, so did not sell as well.[4] The company had spent almost its entire $28,000 initial investment funds ($844,459 in 2021 dollars [6]) with only $223.65 left in its bank account when the first Model A was sold. The success of this car model generated a profit for the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford‘s first successful business.[7]
Although Ford advertised the Model A as the “most reliable machine in the world”, it suffered from many problems common to vehicles of the era, including overheating and slipping transmission bands. The Model A was sold only in red by the factory, though some were later repainted in other colors.[8] Source: Ford Model A (1903–04) – Wikipedia
Road To Electrification: Survey Says Cost And Range Are The Top Hurdles (msn.com)
Toyota’s Upcoming Hydrogen-Powered 5.0 V-8 Engine Has The Potential To Bury EVs.
When were the first electric cars made? Tracing the EV’s early origins (usatoday.com)
How Does a Hybrid Car Work? Hybrid vs Plug In EV Cars (Battery, Gas, Charging)
Gasoline vs Electric Cars: Not Much Has Changed in 100 Years (motortrend.com)
How Does An Electric Car Work – Search (bing.com)
The electric cars and the gasoline cars — Steemit
EV 101: How Do Electric Cars Work? | PCMag
The Cost of owning an electric car
Story by Austin Kilham •
At first, electric vehicles were marketed as luxury cars with price tags that put them out
of reach for most people. However, as interest in eco-friendly cars rises, more automakers are releasing electric vehicles aimed at the masses.
By the end of 2022,
there may be over 100 different electric vehicle models for sale in the United States.
These cars promise to be environmentally friendly and save you money at the gas pump. However, the price of gas isn’t the only cost to consider. Read on to learn the factors that can affect the cost of an electric car, as well as look at whether electric cars are more cost effective.
Generally speaking, electric vehicles are more expensive than traditional
gas-powered cars. Related: Does loan purpose matter?
How Much Do Electric Cars Cost?
By Author Jonah Matthes
Are Electric Cars More Expensive than Gas-Powered Cars?
Electric vehicles will cost anywhere between $30,000 to well over $40,000 to purchase
off the lot. The least expensive 2022 standard internal combustion engine vehicle costs around $15,000 in comparison.
However, new electric vehicles can qualify for federal tax credits ranging from $7,500
to $12,000, depending on the criteria. These tax credits can transform a $40,000 electric
car into an affordable vehicle under $30,000.
Not to mention, EVs accrue annual savings on gasoline. Some electric vehicle models save $800 to $1,400 on gas annually, depending on the circumstances. These savings can build up over time, saving anywhere from $2,400 to $4,200 over three years.
Electric vehicles also require fewer maintenance costs than standard internal combustion engine cars. Some studies have found that electric vehicle owners spend anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 less on operations and maintenance costs each year. These savings can add up over the long haul, making EVs a less expensive option over time.
So what’s the main issue with electric vehicles?
The high upfront costs and finding one to purchase. Electric vehicles still have higher premiums than standard internal combustion engine models and can be difficult to find due to supply chain issues and high demand. So, in the long run, EVs might be more cost-effective than standard internal combustion engines if you can find one.
Other Detailed Cost to Owning an E.V.
1. Charging Station Costs
When you charge your electric vehicle, you’ll pay per kilowatt-hour. The national average is around $0.12 per kilowatt-hour, according to data from electricity marketplace Electric Choice, though price tends to vary by state. And as a rule of thumb, the faster you charge your vehicle, the more expensive charging will be. That said, the price of a kilowatt-hour is much more stable than the price of gas. The nationwide average cost today is only a couple cents more than it was a decade ago.
2. Charging an EV at Home
Charging your electric vehicle at home is the most cost-effective method of charging.
In fact, one Consumer Reports study found that individuals could save $800 to $1,000
on fuel costs if they charged their electric vehicles at home. Plus, at-home rates will vary
in price much less than public charging stations, as each network has its own rates.
You will have to install some sort of charging station in order to charge your EV at home though. Depending on how your house is wired and what type of station you want or need, installation costs can vary widely, ranging up to about $2,500. Equipment costs tend to be anywhere from $200 to $1,000, while the cost of installation can range from $800 to $1,300 or more, according to data from Edmunds, an online automotive resource.
Higher prices tend to correspond with the need to do a lot of electrical work to
prepare the charging site.
3. Maintenance
Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than their gas-powered counterparts.
Consider one of Tesla’s claims to fame: Their cars have only 17 moving parts, compared with the 200 or so in a traditional vehicle. As a result, there are fewer parts subject to wear and tear and therefore in need of regular maintenance.
Research shows that individuals who buy an electric vehicle can expect to save about $4,600 in maintenance and repair costs over the life of the car, per data from Consumer Reports. If you take a look at a mile-for-mile breakdown of maintenance costs, electric vehicles typically cost about $0.03 per mile to maintain, compared to $0.06 per mile to maintain a car with an internal combustion engine.
4. What is Insurance on an Electric Car – Search (bing.com)
Is similar to insurance for conventional vehicles, with the same coverage options such as liability, bodily injury, collision and comprehensive coverages12. However, insurance for electric cars may cost more than insurance for gas-powered cars, because electric cars have higher price tags and more complex equipment that may cost more to repair or replace3.
The cost of insurance for electric cars also varies by the model and the company45.
Some companies offer cheaper rates for electric cars than others, and some models
are cheaper to insure than others45. Tax incentives and long-term savings on fuel
and maintenance can help offset higher insurance rates for electric cars3.
So, it’s important to weigh out the pros and cons.
Is Owning an Electric Car Cheaper Than a Gas Car?
While the average up-front cost of purchasing a new electric vehicle may be more
than the average gas-powered car, they are cheaper to operate and maintain, and you could ultimately save thousands of dollars over the life of the car.
What’s more, government incentive programs may reduce your out-of-pocket costs by a significant amount, making an electric car a more feasible option for those with smaller budgets. Still, there is some give and take with the costs of owning an electric vehicle to keep in mind. For one, insurance premiums tend to be higher. And while there is less maintenance needed overall, some repairs like battery replacement can be costly.
You’ll also want to keep in mind the cost of charging, including if you want to install an
at-home charger, the most cost-effective option. All told, however, the average cost per year of charging an electric car is about half that of gas vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
How Can I Pay for an Electric Car?
When it comes to purchasing an electric vehicle, your options are the same as
buying a traditional car. Here’s a look at the ways you can pay for an electric car.
Personal loan calculator
Can I pay off a personal loan early?
1. Cash
If you have enough savings on hand, you can buy a vehicle in cash. Doing so may give you some leverage as you negotiate a purchase price. It will also mean you don’t have to pay any extra costs in the form of loan fees and interest.
2. Financing
You may also choose to finance your car, taking out a loan through a bank or other financial institution. Or you may consider dealership financing. When you take out an auto loan, you usually make a down payment and then pay off the rest of the cost of the vehicle, also known as your car loan principal, over a series of monthly payments. In return for allowing you to borrow the funds, your lender will charge interest, adding to the cost of your loan. The amount of interest they charge will depend on a number of factors,
including your credit score, income, and whether you’re using a co-borrower.
3. Leasing
Another option you have when it comes to getting an electric car is leasing. There are a number of benefits to leasing an electric car as opposed to buying it outright, including being able to avoid the steep depreciation that comes with electric vehicles, steering clear of dealing with eventual battery degradation, and getting access to newer, evolving technology when you trade in your car at regular intervals.
However, you’ll lose out on potential federal and state tax credits when you lease instead of buy — though sometimes the leasing company may pass on their savings to the consumer. Plus, with leasing, you won’t actually own the vehicle.
4. Refinancing Your Car Loan With an EV
In the future, you may consider refinancing your auto loan. When you refinance,
you take out a new loan with better terms or interest rates and pay off your old loan.
You may be wondering, when should you consider refinancing a car?
If your financial situation improves, interest rates drop, or your electric car
payments become unmanageable, looking into refinancing may be worthwhile.
It’s important to consider the benefits and disadvantages of refinancing, though.
On the plus side, you may be able to settle on more manageable monthly payments, save money on interest, and free up cash to put toward other financial goals. On the other hand, you may also find yourself dealing with prepayment penalties and fees to originate a new loan. Here’s a rundown of what to ask when refinancing your car to help you make a decision for your financial situation.
The Takeaway
While you’ll skip costs at the gas station with an electric vehicle, there are still costs of
an electric car to keep in mind if you’re considering getting one. Added costs can include charging — both at public stations and at home — as well as maintenance and insurance. Still, the average cost of an electric car does tend to be cheaper in terms of operation and maintenance than its gas-powered counterparts, even if their sticker price is currently higher. This article originally appeared on LanternCredit.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Amish communities are using a surprising energy source to help light
their homes while staying off the grid (msn.com)
The RVs of the future are here — and they use free, off-the-grid energy
powered by a surprising piece of technology (msn.com)
More car companies than ever are adding money-saving solar panels
to their vehicles: ‘5,700 miles, free of charge’ (msn.com)
Learn More: Cracks emerging in Europe’s united front to battle climate change.
Hyundai and LG Plan $4.3 Billion Battery Plant in Georgia (msn.com)