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When it comes to electric vehicles, you really don’t know until you try. We are amazed by the number of stories about former EV dislikers becoming EV drivers. It’s understandable given all the misinformation pumped out to slow EV adoption. We hear that EVs don’t have enough range. They cost too much. They take forever to charge, and there aren’t enough public chargers to take a road trip. The funny thing is that these comments almost always come from non-EV owners, but let’s face it, the conversion stories and hearing about what hooked them are fun to read.
This has led to a lot of interesting social media posts about folks converting. Here’s a recent, thoughtful post on Reddit with a ton of interesting responses from the EV community.
“I was the typical car guy who loved big engines and the noise of V8s, etc. I thought electric cars were soulless and toy-like. That’s until I decided to drive a BMW i7, and oh, I fell in love with the car. The instant acceleration, and how wonderfully the car handles corners, made me rethink everything about EVs. Then I drove a Mercedes-AMG EQE 53, and that was even better. Now I currently own an EV, and I am loving the new EV transition without making them look like Teslas – LOL”
Einarfridgeirs commented about how the perception of “power” and “muscle” has changed:
“It is amazing how quickly your perception of what ‘power’ is changes.
Nowadays, the rumbling of muscle cars only symbolizes inefficiency to me. All that combustion power being wasted as noise, heat, and pointless vibration!!
While an electric car with even just mildly decent horsepower is like a shark gliding through the ocean soundlessly, but with so much speed and power at its disposal when it needs it.”
stoic_stove replied with:
“LOL, every time I hear that loud ass exhaust, I think “All that noise for no acceleration”
Capitolphotoguy made a funny ICE comparison:
“Ford gave me an ICE F-150 when my Lightning was in for some work. I was constantly saying ‘come on!!!’ While driving that thing. I have no idea how they sell so many of them.”
The Driving Experience
When surveyed, the initial thing that wins over first-time EV drivers is the no-lag, instant response, as it tends to be an unexpected delight. It’s something they simply didn’t understand before driving an EV. The high torque response gives a sense of control that’s simply not possible in a gas-powered car. New drivers first notice it when pulling into traffic. Then they notice it again when accelerating from one highway speed to another, again unexpected. This has shifted the definition of what it means for a car to have “power” or “muscle.” Sure, some folks long for the nostalgic rumble, but it’s not important for most daily drivers.
The next delight they experience is the handling. Because of the placement of their heavy batteries, EVs have a lower center of gravity, which makes them feel more planted when steering through turns. Like the acceleration, the steering is more responsive than in a gas-powered car. EV power steering is performed with motors instead of the laggy hydraulic systems used in gas-powered cars.
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Once the subtle differences driving the car settles in, new EV drivers note the smooth, vibration free, quiet ride. It’s sometimes difficult for them to comprehend just how quite an EV can be, especially at low speeds before the wind noise kicks in.
Redefining Luxury
From the BMW i7 to the Lucid Air Touring, electrification has redefined the luxury vehicle category. Electric is simply a better platform to deliver luxury than gas. Silence replaces engine vibration, so voices feel closer and music sounds richer. No mid-floor drive shaft hump makes for flat floors and generous space that is often enhanced with panoramic glass roofs and a longer windshield. EVs can start in a closed garage and precondition the interior climate with their heat pumps, something not common in gas-powered. Many have enhanced interior comfort with advanced HEPA filtration.
EV designs are the definition of modern. Cutting edge tech abounds because most EVs were designed from scratch based on recent customer input, not from stale design cues left over from decades old models. This brings giant integrated displays, phone as key access, route planning sent to the car before you get into it, and over the air upgrades that add capabilities over time. The result is a calm, high tech sanctuary that feels modern the day you buy it and better every month you own it.
Never Going Back
After the initial impression, there are many reasons why EV owners fall in love with their cars, and swear they will never go back to gas-powered. Charging becomes a habit. Once that happens, range, charging time, and charging infrastructure become manageable issues that disappear from daily concerns. Owners learn to think of 20% charge as zero which eliminates the chance of ever going empty. They grab opportunistic top-ups during errands. This habit helps keep a charge above roughly half and removes anxiety. It’s easy to do this with short charge sessions while at the shop or gym restoring enough buffer for the next trip.
Lower maintenance is a core, liberating EV advantage. There are far fewer moving parts to service. There is no engine oil to change, no spark plugs to replace, no fuel filters, no timing belts, no exhaust, or catalytic converter, and no multi gear transmission with fluid flushes. The EV motor/s, inverter, and reduction gear are largely sealed systems, which removes many routine visits. Regenerative braking does most of the slowing, so pads and rotors last much longer, which reduces both cost and downtime. This saves EV drivers thousands of dollars a year.
EVs are safer than gas for many reasons. Their battery packs sit low, which drops the center of gravity, improves stability, and reduces rollover risk. Vehicle rollovers are a leading cause of injury and fatalities. Their structure enables safety improved safety. Without a heavy engine block, front crumple zones are larger, so impacts can be absorbed more effectively. Side impact protection is enhanced from their rigid skateboard frames and reinforced battery housings. Because there is no gasoline system to rupture during a crash or to start leaking over time, EVs are also much less likely to catch fire in a crash. The lack of an internal combustion engine eliminates carbon monoxide risk.
Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below
Was there a moment on your first EV drive that changed your mind?
What do you still miss from a gas car, if anything?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, “The Arrival of The Electric Car.” His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
Image sources: BMW media kit
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Source: torquenews.com
