**The Challenges and Limitations of Electric Cars**
As car manufacturers continue to invest heavily in producing electric vehicles (EVs), there are still several challenges and limitations that need to be addressed before EVs become mainstream. One of the main concerns is the cost of production. Building a road-worthy electric car is not only expensive, but much of it has taken place relatively recently, meaning that car manufacturers are still trying to recoup their investments. Additionally, batteries themselves are large and heavy, and their manufacture requires a number of resources that are fairly hard to extract.
Furthermore, some countries with large deposits of important materials like lithium want to protect their rights to those resources, making it more difficult to source the necessary materials for EV production. This is also exacerbated by the fact that some mining locations are in rather unstable countries, which can lead to security concerns and increased costs. Despite being billed as a solution to an energy crisis, electric cars are still positioned as luxury goods, with dealers charging significantly more for them.
**Range Anxiety: A Major Concern for Electric Car Owners**
One of the biggest hurdles for potential EV buyers is range anxiety - the fear of running out of charge while driving. Many electric cars have limited ranges, typically under 200 miles, which can be a concern for people who drive long distances regularly. For example, pricier Teslas can get over 300 miles on a single charge, similar to some gas-powered sports cars. However, even with longer-range EVs, drivers still need to plan their routes and charging stops in advance.
For those driving out on the open road, finding a charging station can be a challenge. Governments and car manufacturers are working to build out their infrastructure of charging stations, but this is both a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. Charging an EV takes longer than filling up a gas tank - typically, it can take several hours to fully charge an EV, whereas a 60-80 liter gas tank can be filled in under an hour.
**Research and Innovation: A Solution to Range Anxiety**
Despite the current limitations of electric cars, researchers are working on new technologies to address range anxiety. For example, researchers are exploring solid-state batteries that could hold more energy than lithium-ion batteries, making EVs more efficient and longer-range. Additionally, innovations like transmissions designed for EVs can increase both the range and performance of electric cars by using gear ratios.
Researchers are also working on new power delivery mechanisms that could reduce charge times to as little as 10 minutes by using direct current at higher voltages. As charging stations become more common, prices should start to fall, making EVs more accessible to a wider audience. In fact, many countries have already begun instituting bans on the sales of new gasoline-powered cars, which should incentivize larger-scale, cheaper production of electric alternatives.
**A Mostly Electric Future: Will It Be Easy to Switch?**
While research and innovation are addressing the limitations of electric cars, convincing people to switch from gas-guzzling vehicles may not be an easy task. Many drivers are accustomed to the convenience and flexibility of gasoline-powered cars, and switching to an EV may require significant changes to their driving habits.
However, with governments around the world already banning the sales of new gasoline-powered cars, it's likely that a mostly electric future is on the horizon. Eleven countries have banned or restricted the sale of gas-powered cars, including France, China, and the UK, with some bans taking effect as early as 2021 and others scheduled for between 2021 and 2040.
**Learning to Code: A New Skill for the Future**
In conclusion, while electric cars are not yet perfect, research and innovation are addressing the challenges and limitations that need to be overcome before EVs become mainstream. However, another challenge that many people face is learning to code - a new skill that will be essential for working with technology in the future.
Brilliant, a problem-solving website that offers tools and frameworks to learn how to think like a computer scientist, can help anyone develop this skill. With over five and a half million members worldwide, Brilliant offers a community of learners who share your curiosity and love for math and science. For those interested in learning to code, Brilliant offers bite-sized understandable chunks of content that lead you from curiosity to mastery. And as a bonus, the first 200 people to sign up will receive 20% off their annual premium subscription - so why not check it out?