Advantages of Electric Cars

Electric cars are good for the environment and the climate - you probably already knew that. As they do not burn fossil fuels, they do not emit any CO2. That's why electric cars are allowed to drive in every low-emission zone. But the switch to electromobility also makes economic sense. Do you think electric cars are not for frequent drivers? In this article, we at CARIFY show you that technological progress and the ever-improving charging infrastructure have now made electric cars suitable for everyday use.

Environmental aspects of electric cars

Electric cars are an environmentally friendly method of transportation in two respects. As the proportion of electric vehicles on the roads increases, it is not only air pollution that decreases. Traffic noise also decreases. Both air pollution and noise pollution make you ill in the long term and increase the risk of serious illness. Last but not least, the quality of life increases with clean air and relative silence.

Emission-free operation

The CO2 contained in car exhaust gases is considered to be the main cause of the greenhouse effect. It has long been clear that we need to move away from the combustion engine in order to put a stop to climate change. E-cars do not have an internal combustion engine, but instead use electricity to get their occupants from A to B. But is that really so much cleaner?

The environmental friendliness of electric cars still depends on how the electricity is produced: If the electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, e-cars also produce indirect emissions. Fortunately, the proportion of renewable energy sources in the electricity mix has increased rapidly in recent years. Charging your e-car with electricity from photovoltaics, wind or hydropower saves considerable amounts of CO2 and other climate-damaging emissions compared to the environmental footprint of an internal combustion engine.

Low-noise operation

One of the emissions from car traffic - which many people don't realize - is noise. In a combustion engine, it is not only the moving parts such as pistons that cause noise. The combustion process itself contributes to noise pollution with explosive noises.

With electric cars, on the other hand, you only hear the whisper of the tires on the road and some wind noise, because the motors have fewer moving parts and do not require combustion processes. In fact, electric cars are so quiet that some models are equipped with noise generators. These are designed to warn pedestrians of approaching vehicles, especially at low speeds.

Economic advantages

The purchase price of electric cars is still higher than that of comparable combustion engines. Here we explain why investing in an electric car still pays off.

Lower operating costs

In recent years, fuel prices have almost only gone in one direction: upwards. As a result, maintaining a car with a combustion engine is becoming increasingly expensive. How does this compare with electric cars and is it even possible to make a comparison? The easiest way to do the calculation is to break it down to the price of fuel or electricity per kilometer. To do this, multiply the current fuel price per liter by the fuel consumption of your vehicle per kilometer.

Example calculation. If your car consumes 8 liters per 100 kilometers, it is 0.08 liters per kilometer. 1 liter of fuel currently costs in CHF:

Multiply the consumption of your car by the current price per liter of the relevant fuel and you will get the price for one kilometer of driving. The price of engine oil must also be added.

The consumption of an electric car is measured in kilowatt hours per 100 km. As with the combustion engine, you have to divide this value by 100 and then multiply it by the price of a kilowatt hour of electricity (around 32.14 centimes per kilowatt hour in 2024). Another advantage of an electric car is that you can recuperate energy by braking.

Despite the rise in electricity prices, you will notice that driving an e-car is currently around 50 percent cheaper.

Tax benefits and state subsidies

The higher purchase price is quickly recouped thanks to the tax benefits and state subsidies for electric cars:

1. Exemption from motor vehicle tax: You don't have to pay motor vehicle tax for e-cars. Depending on the canton, fuel type and emissions, this can add up to a tidy sum per year.

2. Tax benefits: Even though the exemption from motor vehicle tax of 4 percent on the import price has been history for electric cars since the beginning of 2024, the cantons are offering various programs to incentivize the purchase of e-cars. These are either tax breaks or subsidies.

3. Subsidies: Both the purchase of electric cars and investments in the charging infrastructure (private wall box, public charging points) are supported regionally in Switzerland with subsidy programs.

4. Exemption from the CO2 tax: While a CO2 tax of CHF 120 per tonne (2024) is due for combustion engines, e-cars are exempt from this.

Decrease in maintenance costs

E-car owners also have a good laugh when it comes to maintenance costs, as fewer wearing parts mean less susceptibility to repairs. You don't have to change the oil and the electric motors have a longer service life overall.

Technological advances

Do you have doubts about whether electric cars will meet your mobility requirements? You don't have to! The rapid advances in technology leave nothing to be desired in terms of range and driving pleasure.

Efficient battery technologies

A lot of research and development is currently being carried out in the field of battery technology. As a result, the batteries installed in electric cars are getting better and better and can store more and more electricity. In addition to common and safe lithium-ion batteries with high energy density, solid-state batteries will provide even more range and safety in the future. Their short charging times will make electromobility even more attractive.

Advanced vehicle performance

Anyone driving an electric car for the first time will be surprised by the rapid acceleration of electric vehicles. This is due to the high torque of the electric motors. This ensures a lot of driving fun and agile handling. Another advantage of electric cars is the quiet driving noise, which is particularly pleasant on long journeys.

Convenience and suitability for everyday use

Fortunately, the days when you couldn't find a charging station far and wide are over. In Switzerland, a dense network of charging stations ensures that your electric car never runs out of juice. This is another reason why electric cars are now suitable for everyday use.

Charging at home

More and more homeowners in Switzerland are using photovoltaics to power their homes. If you have your own PV system on the roof, you should think about a wallbox and switching to e-mobility. This will allow you to use your PV system much more efficiently and save a lot of money. Some electric cars can even be used as electricity storage units if they are designed for bidirectional charging.

Improving the charging infrastructure

Even if you don't have the opportunity to benefit from your own solar power: You can now find public charging stations in many places in Switzerland.

• filling stations

• parking garages

• Shopping centers

• hotels

• restaurants

Many employers also provide charging points for their employees.

Social and individual benefits

As you can see, there are good reasons to buy an electric car. The growing electrification of private transportation has benefits for society as a whole. Above all, however, you benefit from switching to an electric car yourself. Another plus: research does not stop at ever better electric motors.

Contribution to climate protection

Electricity from renewable energies and electromobility go hand in hand. And that's the way it has to be because the need for mobility solutions will not diminish. At the same time, it is clear that mankind must reduce emissions of the climate killer gas CO2 in order to halt the progression of global warming. E-cars powered by electricity from renewable sources do not emit any CO2 and therefore make a significant contribution to climate protection.

Autonomous driving and innovative technologies

Tesla has led the way and more and more car manufacturers are following suit: Advanced assistance systems, connectivity, and improved battery management are making driving ever safer, more comfortable, and more interactive. In the near future, the dream of autonomous driving could even become a reality.

Conclusion

Electric cars offer so many advantages, but are you finding it difficult to make the switch or say goodbye to your familiar combustion engine? How about simply testing an electric car for a while with no obligation? That's no problem at all with a car subscription from CARIFY. We are the largest provider of car subscriptions in Switzerland and have a huge selection of electric cars from small to large, whether sedans or vans.

With us, you can rent an electric car for as little as 1 month and try out how an electric car drives. You'll see whether the electric car suits your everyday life and mobility needs.

It's easy: choose the car you want and configure your subscription in terms of duration and monthly mileage. Our e-car subscription already includes all the running costs for your electric car - you only have to factor in the electricity costs. But we even offer you something for that. We'll give you an evpass charging card and an Explorer subscription. If you need to charge your electric car, you will receive discounted conditions without fixed costs and a 10% discount per kilowatt hour in Switzerland's largest charging network.

FAQs

What are the advantages of electric cars?

Electric cars are:

• Low-emission,

• climate-friendly,

• Tax-privileged,

• Inexpensive to maintain,

• Less susceptible to maintenance,

• Long-lasting,

• Equipped with innovative technology,

• Comfortable and powerful.

What is the disadvantage of electric cars?

Electric cars have a limited range. Charging on the road has its price if you want to do it quickly. The charging process takes a correspondingly long time. However, new battery technologies will be able to solve both problems in the future.

What are the advantages of an electric car on the road?

The electric car is very quiet and does not pollute the air. This means they cause fewer health and environmental problems.

What is good about electric cars?

The electric car can play to its strengths in areas that are problematic for combustion engines: Stop-and-go in traffic jams or city traffic. Electric cars draw energy through recuperation every time they brake, do not pollute the air, and accelerate effortlessly. Electric cars are also inexpensive to maintain, environmentally friendly, low-maintenance, and wonderfully quiet.