The future of eco-friendly vehicles
EVs, or electric vehicles, are vehicles powered solely by electricity rather than other fuels. They are sleeker and are slowly improving as they become more common on the market. Overall, there is a growing belief that EVs could be the future of transportation. What does this mean?
There's a lot of appeal when it comes to eco-friendly vehicles. As green alternatives become increasingly popular, we're starting to learn more about how these vehicles can benefit our lives, our wallets, and the environment. How will eco-friendly vehicles shape our future? Read on for Panda7's take on the future of green vehicles.
Eco-friendly vehicles can help you save on taxes and fuel
The current cost of an electric vehicle (on average) ranges from $30,000 to $40,000, although high-end models can range from $100,000 to $180,000. Therefore, EVs tend to be more expensive to buy than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
In the future, we expect the initial cost of eco-friendly vehicles to begin decreasing as more of these vehicles become available on the market. But, as things stand, EVs can help owners reduce their fuel costs in the long run. This may be enough to offset the overall initial costs, depending on the value of your EV model in today's market. Gas is more expensive than ever, making the purchase of an electric vehicle much more appealing. Furthermore, countries like Canada have introduced additional taxes on cars deemed "inefficient" (and countries like France, Germany, and Norway have even proposed a rule to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles).
Electric vehicles also require less engine maintenance, which reduces the overall cost of upkeep and repairs over time. Overall, the future of eco-friendly vehicles looks brighter, not only for the environment but also for our wallets.
Future driverless vehicles could make our roads safer.
These days, there are a lot of electric cars on the road. There are also a lot of hybrids. They're becoming commonplace, and while they're certainly the future, there's something to be said for the long-awaited arrival of driverless cars. The next big step is automated driving – and here's how it could help:
With the addition of automated vehicles on the road, the risks of human error could be significantly reduced. Self-driving cars are much safer, being programmed to strictly follow traffic laws. While accidents could still occur, they would be attributed to manufacturer error, not to drivers or passengers. Furthermore, with increased efficiency on the roads, we could drastically reduce fuel consumption, which could greatly benefit the environment.
Car insurance will be changed forever
While we're not entirely sure how including EVs, and especially driverless vehicles, will affect coverage, we do know that many insurance companies will need to adapt their policies to reflect these trends. Currently, many EVs are more expensive to repair or replace due to a shortage of readily available parts, but many insurers will offer discounts for EVs and hybrid vehicles. This "green" discount may or may not offset the increased replacement cost.
Self-driving vehicles are the biggest enigma. Since accidents will then be attributed to manufacturer error rather than human error, it's difficult to say how insurance premiums will be calculated or who will be considered "at fault" in an accident—if fault is ever determined. However, it's safe to say that we could save on the costs of self-driving vehicles, especially since there will be fewer accidents and fewer traffic violations.
How to stay eco-friendly without buying an EV
Currently, electric vehicles are still significantly more expensive than our regular gasoline-powered vehicles, and not everyone can justify buying one. While we wait for the initial costs to disappear, we can still do our part to reduce the amount of fossil fuels that are burned regularly. We can minimize our travel and stick to essential trips, and reduce our idling time. While it's tempting to keep the car warm in winter (or cool in summer), this only adds to the unnecessary emissions produced and pollutes our air. Turn off your vehicle if you're idling for more than 10 seconds at a time.
You should also do your best to stay up-to-date on maintenance checks and regular servicing. This ensures your vehicle is kept in good condition and remains at peak efficiency.
And finally, it should go without saying, but driving less significantly reduces your fuel consumption. Opt for public transportation if possible, carpool with colleagues, or skip that unnecessary trip to the grocery store and walk instead. It's easier, it helps you stay healthy, and it reduces your carbon footprint! Panda7 likes to do its best to stay green, which is why we plant one tree for every quote we receive and three for every policy purchased.
Help us give back by requesting an automatic quote from us today!