Electric cars are becoming more and more popular for several reasons. They offer significant benefits over their internal combustion cousins, such as reduced fuel costs, low maintenance requirements, and lower environmental impact. But like any product, they also have disadvantages.

One of the biggest complaints about electric cars is range anxiety. This is the fear that your vehicle will run out of energy before you can find a charging station. It's a problem especially for long trips.

Another drawback of electric vehicles is the long charging time. Most electric vehicles take several hours to recharge. However, new technologies are lowering this charge time. And as more and more EVs are manufactured, more and more charging stations are being built. If you want an electric car, be aware that you will have to make a special effort to find a charging station.

The main advantage of electric cars is their low operating cost. In most cases, you'll pay less for electricity than you do for gas. A major factor in the cost is the battery pack. Batteries are expensive, but are usually covered under warranty. Additionally, there are federal and state subsidies available to help you purchase an EV.

Even with these incentives, an EV can still be quite expensive. The average price gap between an EV and a comparable gas-powered car is roughly $10,000. Nevertheless, the cost of an EV will continue to drop, and in five years, price parity will likely exist.

For now, the best way to go about making the switch to an electric vehicle is to get a government grant. Some models are eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits. You can find more information about the available grants at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

Electric vehicles are in their infancy, so the number of available charging stations is still limited. While more and more are being installed, they may not be easily accessible if you're traveling long distances.

Other factors to consider when buying an EV are its range and noise level. Noiselessness is an issue for some, but it can also be dangerous for pedestrians. Depending on your location and the weather, you might need to use air conditioning to cool your car in summer, or to keep it warm in winter. Moreover, driving in extremely cold or hot weather can decrease the vehicle's range.

Lastly, electric cars are heavy. Some of the heavier models, such as the Mercedes EQV, weigh over 2,500 kg. Because of their weight, they cannot travel as far as fuel-powered vehicles. To overcome this, some auto manufacturers have introduced hybrid versions of their cars.

While an EV has many advantages, the main drawbacks are range anxiety, charging times, and high costs. With that said, a growing number of companies are producing all-electric cars, which should be more widely available over the next few years. There are also more federal and state incentives on the horizon. These incentives, coupled with the increasing popularity of EVs, should help close the gap between EVs and ICE vehicles.