If a recent collision has left you car shopping, you may be considering an electric vehicle (EV). You’ve seen all of the parking spaces reserved for EVs (and possibly charging stations) at your local grocery store, movie theatre and other locations and realized how popular they’re becoming. Teslas, once synonymous with EVs, are far from the only models on the market these days. Virtually every major car manufacturer has at least one model.
If you’re considering an EV, you may be focused on the difference between putting gas in your car and charging its battery. However, it’s also essential to consider the difference in driving an EV compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle or even a hybrid.
Do EVs feel different to operate?
There are some differences in the way they feel and operate. They take a bit of time to get used to. If you’re already somewhat anxious about driving since your crash, you’ll want to be comfortable driving your new car.
The brake and accelerator are in the same spots as a gas-powered vehicle, although some EVs allow you to brake and accelerate using one pedal. The location of the gear shifters will depend on which car you have. It’s always important to know where everything is before you drive it.
Let’s look at a few other things you’ll notice. EVs:
- Have strong acceleration, but you can adjust the amount of power you get by using the various drive settings.
- Have regenerative braking, which sends energy back to the battery. Some EVs have multiple levels of braking.
- Are much quieter than ICE vehicles because their motors are silent. The cars are so quiet that federal regulators are mandating that manufacturers make changes so that they produce enough noise to warn pedestrians and others of their presence. So far, manufacturers have been able to delay making these changes a requirement.
Whether you get an EV, a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a traditional ICE vehicle, you’ll want to spend some time getting comfortable with the feel of it and learning where all of the buttons and knobs are. If you’re seeking compensation from the driver who caused your crash, make sure you get the money you need for all of your expenses and damages, including your new car if yours was totaled.
