Electric vehicles (EVs) made up 5.7% of new-car registrations through June 2022, according to Experian . This exponential consumption trend will continue. The next generation of drivers won’t likely ever understand the tactile thrill of a V-8 engine, and they’ll definitely never become clutch experts. However, kids will learn the fundamentals of all-electric mobility. That implies that youth of today will probably own several EVs during their lives. Isn’t it time to transition to EVs and start training new drivers?
How many of you can still recall your very first car ride? My own occurred on a Sunday when Blue Laws were still in force and our neighborhood mall was closed. Only well spaced light poles stood in my way, and I quickly gained confidence as a trainee driver. Driving itself isn’t difficult, my mum chided. Driving is difficult because you have to predict what other drivers will do. She probably thought my experience with an automatic gearbox was simple in comparison because she learnt to drive on a car that needed her to pass the double clutch, test.
EVs offer radically different features than either my mom’s or my cars, which is why modern drivers in training are starting to use them more frequently. That’s partially because nearly all EV models are fresh enough to be constructed in accordance with contemporary safety regulations. Parents find that appealing, and environmentally concerned teenagers get joy in knowing that their vehicles emit no tailpipe emissions.
An EV, sometimes referred to as a “computer on wheels,” bestows significant advantages on novice drivers. The budget of a new driver will profit from the decreasing cost of petrol.
Compared to gas-powered vehicles, EVs provide a much quieter ride, which helps drivers be more alert, relaxed, and joyful. One of the many deciding reasons that may lead parents to believe that their teenagers would be better suited learning to drive an EV is that sense of well-being. 74% of 1,000 respondents to an Cars.com survey survey taken on September 14, 2022, indicated it’s at least somewhat crucial for teenagers to learn how to drive an electric vehicle, and 56% said they think it will happen for all teen drivers within the next ten years.
Here are some additional insightful parent viewpoints that the survey revealed.
By 2042, hybrid and electric cars will outnumber conventional gasoline-powered cars, according to 84% of parents and caregivers polled; 61% of parents think EVs are at least as safe as conventional cars for teen drivers. 37% of teen drivers use a hybrid or EV as their primary vehicle, and 59% of parents expect their teen to learn how to operate and maintain an EV from a family member or driving school. 52% of parents report that their teen received instructions on how to operate and maintain hybrid and electric vehicles when learning to drive. Jenni Newman, editor-in-chief of Cars.com and an EV owner, interpreted the data in an article this month and provided many justifications for why EVs are a suitable choice for new drivers.
Active safety features, such as automated emergency braking with forward collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert, are advantageous for teen drivers. Parental control technology: There are a few automotive systems that can provide parents with some understanding of how their teen is driving. Parents may set a speed alert and limiter, a volume limit, and a seat belt reminder with Chevrolet’s Teen Driver Technology, which is available in the Bolt EV and EUV. 88% of responders to the Cars.com survey stated they are at least somewhat confident in their understanding of parental control technology. Less maintenance: EVs will likely last longer under the strain of a teen driver because they require significantly less maintenance than cars with internal combustion engines (ICEs). One-pedal driving: Regenerative braking, which slows the car when the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator, is a common feature of EVs. Teenagers who use the feature may improve their ability to accurately assess distances. Additionally, according to Newmann, teens may have issues with public charging, particularly if they have to wait in a parking lot or charge in cold climates, which can reduce range by as much as 40%. Teens may be caught off guard while cornering by the rear-drive nature of EVs, and the rapid power, while useful in some circumstances, “may bring a lot of temptation.”
While a used EV might make a great match for a driver-in-training, inventory problems make it more challenging than it was a few years ago to locate a reasonable used EV. However, it appears that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) covers used EVs, thus it might help ease the agony caused by exorbitant used EV price tags.
There are several things to consider when choosing the ideal EV for a teen. An EV often has a lower center of gravity than an ICE car, making it less prone to roll over in a crash. This is in addition to active safety features. Just as with the purchase of a new or used ICE vehicle, EV price tags fluctuate, so it needs some astute consumer research. Even though ICE vehicle maintenance costs will be lower, kids’ charging expenses might add up, so it’s best to create a budget together. Teenagers must learn to carefully plan their trip distances because range varies based on the model and battery size.
THOUGHTS FOR PARENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING GETTING AN EV FOR THEIR TEENS In an earlier New York Times article, teens were questioned about their opinions about EVs. The majority were ecstatic about EVs’ potential to improve global air quality, slow down climate change, and lessen reliance on gasoline. They also voiced concerns about the expense of electric automobiles, how long it takes to charge them, and the environmental impact of battery production.
As the next generation takes the wheel, families have a lot to gain from the clean and practical EVs. More and more teenagers are becoming excellent candidates for learning to drive in the vehicle that will rule the roads in 20 years thanks to the craze for electric vehicles (EVs). Naturally, by then, automakers will have dealt with some Gen Z EV issues (i.e.unappealing styling, poor EPA estimates, battery longevity concerns, or weird names).
Today’s drivers who are in the process of becoming leaders in tomorrow’s low emission communities will benefit from solutions that support equitable EV adoption and access to charging infrastructure.
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