Benefits

The biggest benefit of electric cars is obvious: You no longer need gas. That’s a big deal, since the average American spends between $2,000 and $4,000 on gas every year. With fully electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf, that cost is eliminated — though electricity isn’t free.

Beyond the fuel-saving benefit, electric cars offer another major cost savings: maintenance. Since an electric cars is fully electric, it no longer uses oil to lubricate the engine. That means oil changes are a thing of the past.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantages of electric car ownership concern range anxiety: the fear you’ll run out of juice when you’re nowhere near a charging station. Indeed, both the Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf offer a range of approximately 75 miles. For most drivers, that’s more than enough to get around — but many will require a second car, if only to calm their nerves.

Another big disadvantage is that many drivers will have to install a charging station at home. It’s not necessary, however, as you can simply charge your electric cars at work or at various public charging stations. But most shoppers will want a charging station at home, cutting into the cost savings from owning an electric car in the first place.