Driving an EV
The first thing you’ll notice when driving an electric car is the silence.
The lack of a gearbox means acceleration is smooth and seamless. And because they produce maximum torque from a standstill, even basic models are quick off the mark.
Apart from a faint hum when accelerating, the only noises come from the wind and tyres.
Gears in all EVs are automatic, while regenerative brakes slow the car when you lift off the accelerator to top up the batteries. Some cars even have ‘one-pedal’ settings or technology. This means that when you lift off the accelerator, the regenerative braking is much more severe – so you can roll to a stop at a junction and rarely need the brakes at all.
EV performance
Electric motors produce their peak pulling power straight away, so there’s no need to rev the motor for swift acceleration, unlike in a conventional car.
Car manufacturers have more flexibility when it comes to packaging electric drivetrains. Mounting battery packs close to the floor to lower the center of gravity means EVs often handle well, too.
Electric car safety
The number of purpose-built EVs is growing, and the ability to package components more creatively (such as fitting batteries beneath the floor) allows for more effective crash structures. But one thing to note is that due to the lithium battery, EVs may be more likely to catch fire than traditional gasoline vehicles under high-speed collisions. With the advancement of battery technology, it remains to be seen whether safety can be improved.