INTRODUCTION
Electric cars are a niche in the automotive industry,
and have been trying to gain a foothold in both sales and popularity in recent
years. Recently, electric cars have become available for purchase in Malaysia.
In 2012 Budget, the government chose to offer a full exemption on import
tax and excise tax to support electric vehicles until the end of 2013.
Unlike traditional combustion engines found in a
huge majority of cars on the road, electric cars forgo the need for petroleum
and use electricity instead. Not only does this make electric cars cleaner, but
it also means that they simply don’t need much of the regular maintenance that
traditional cars require.
Electric vehicles utilize rechargeable battery
packs, which are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. While this
seems to be a big step in the right direction for the automotive industry,
electric vehicles still have a long way to go before they are seen on the road.
THE ROLE OF ELECTRIC
CARS IN MALAYSIA
Malaysia is still a
potential market where electric vehicles might gain widespread acceptance, but
manufacturers need to be tactful and play it smart if electric cars are to gain
popularity among the masses.
The first electric car
to be launched in Malaysia was the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which is packs a pretty hefty price considering that it
is a hatchback. Even though potential owners get to enjoy a full tax exemption,
the i-MiEV still sits at RM136,118.50 without insurance, which is roughly
equivalent to the price of three Proton Sagas.
Although Mitsubishi managed to be
the first one to introduce electric cars to the Malaysian market, by the way Nissan
weren’t going to sit back and watch Mitsubishi claim the lion’s share of the
market.
In November 2013, Nissan launched the
Leaf, which is became the second all-electric car to grace Malaysian shores.
Local automotive production company Proton is
also reported to be dabbling in the electric car market. Paul Tan’s automotive website reports that Parliament
stated Proton will be releasing electric cars in 2014
THE ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC CARS
1. Fuel Economy
One of the biggest
advantages of electric cars is fuel economy. Those who drive gasoline-powered
vehicles are often concerned by the miles per gallon that their car gets. With
battery-powered vehicles, however, the concept is different because these cars
run on batteries. Electric vehicles are measured based on the miles they can go
on a fully charged battery.
2. Battery Limitations
While electric cars are much more energy efficient, their batteries do
not allow them to go more than 100 to 200 miles on a single charge, while a
gasoline car can go upward of 300 miles on one tank of gas. The battery also
takes a significant amount of time, four to eight hours, to fully recharge.
While an electric car eliminates the need to fill up at the pump, it does
require charging, which adds to the owner’s electric bill. It is important to
understand this when thinking about fuel economy savings with an electric car.
3. Performance
When testing an
electric vehicle for the first time, many drivers are often surprised by its
smooth performance. There is often a misconception that electric vehicles are
slower than gasoline-powered cars, and nothing can be further from the truth.
While these vehicles often do not come with the conventional internal
combustion engine, they are still capable of the same speeds, horsepower, and
acceleration. In fact, electric cars do not require gear shifting, which means
that acceleration and braking run more smoothly.
4. Stylish Design
Today’s electric cars are every bit as stylish as their gasoline-powered
counterparts. While most people have the misconception that these vehicles are
small and boxy golf carts, vehicle designs like the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Roadster have proven them wrong. Those who are thinking of buying
an electric car should not worry about feeling self-conscious because there are
many attractive models that are bound to suit one’s taste. As mentioned, an
electric car and a gasoline-powered car look virtually the same until the hood
is popped.
CONCLUSION
There are many reasons why people choose to go with an electric car
instead of a gasoline-powered vehicle. There are many distinct advantages in
owning an electric car. The first reason often has to do with the vehicle’s
fuel economy, since the idea of never paying for gas again is attractive to
most people. Along with the fact that it performs well on the road, another
advantage is that it is easier and less messy to maintain. For those who are
concerned about their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, driving an
electric vehicle ensures less pollution. While electric cars may be more costly
than their gas-powered cousins, the government has also instituted a tax rebate
to help encourage people to buy this type of car. This brings it to a price point
that is more affordable. Last but not the least, owning an electric vehicle
gives people opportunity to express personal style. While there have been many
conceptual designs in the last decade, electric vehicles come in many stylish
designs that many people enjoy.
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