Rising pollution, dwindling fossil fuels, and higher vehicle costs. When you look at it from this perspective, electric cars seem like a logical choice but if we examine it deeply, we see that it is not actually like that. 

Cost of electricity

Although electricity is often perceived as a clean and sustainable source of energy, it would not be entirely accurate to describe it as such under present conditions. As illustrated in the graph below, a significant portion of global electricity generation still relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and coal. While the share of these resources has been gradually declining over the years due to the increasing adoption of renewable alternatives, their current contribution remains considerably high. This dependence on fossil fuels highlights an important issue: the environmental benefits of technologies such as electric vehicles are not as absolute as they are commonly assumed to be. In other words, the extent to which electric cars can be considered environmentally friendly is closely tied to the energy mix from which electricity is produced. Unless cleaner and renewable sources become the dominant means of electricity generation, the claim that electric vehicles offer a fully clean solution remains open to debate.

Inadequate battery technology

The battery, which serves as the primary source of energy in electric vehicles, still faces significant limitations in meeting the demands of modern life. For instance, consider an emergency situation in which you must urgently take a loved one to the hospital. If the car’s battery is depleted, you are forced to wait at least half an hour for it to recharge before being able to continue your journey. Even under ordinary circumstances, such a waiting period is inconvenient; in critical or time-sensitive situations, however, it may become not only impractical but also potentially harmful. Beyond charging times, another major challenge is the limited lifespan and endurance of current battery technologies. The inability of batteries to retain sufficient energy for extended periods not only restricts the overall efficiency of electric vehicles but also raises questions about their reliability in everyday use. Unless significant advancements are made in battery capacity, charging speed, and durability, these issues will remain key obstacles to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Over cost

Although electric vehicles are often perceived as more cost-effective compared to conventional fossil fuel-powered cars, in reality, they may prove to be more expensive over the long term. One of the primary reasons for this is the battery, which represents the most critical and costly component of an electric vehicle. In the event of a malfunction or the need for replacement, the expense can be substantial, with costs starting at a minimum of 5,000 USD. Furthermore, if other electrical or electronic mechanisms within the vehicle fail, the repair or replacement costs are likewise considerably high. Unlike fossil fuel vehicles, electric cars may not require regular annual maintenance fees for engine-related systems, which initially creates the impression of lower operating expenses. However, when the high costs of battery replacement and specialized electrical repairs are taken into account, electric vehicles can ultimately become a more expensive alternative. Thus, the economic advantage of electric cars remains debatable, particularly when evaluating long-term ownership and unforeseen repair scenarios.

In addition, while manufacturers of electric vehicles continuously work to reduce production costs each year and, in parallel, lower the market prices of their cars, this development, although seemingly advantageous for first-time buyers—can have significant drawbacks in the long run. Specifically, when owners decide to sell their vehicles, they often face considerably greater depreciation compared to fossil fuel-powered cars. The rapid decline in resale value means that, despite initial savings at the point of purchase, electric vehicle owners may ultimately incur higher financial losses when attempting to resell their cars.

For the reasons I have outlined above, I would personally not prefer to purchase an electric vehicle at this stage. Nevertheless, I would like to emphasize that these are merely my own views, shaped by current circumstances. Should the issues I have mentioned be resolved in the future such as improvements in battery technology, reductions in costs, and wider adoption of cleaner energy sources I would certainly consider buying an electric vehicle. 

Cemal Emre Denk

Sources:

2024 world electricity generation by source in terawatt-hours (TWh). Total generation was 30.85 petawatt-hours.

Wikipedia – World energy supply and consumption