Modern ride-on toys are technologically advanced, safe, and designed to look like the real thing. Some models are even equipped with very cool features like FM radios, seatbelts, and engine sounds. If you’ve seen one of the ads on, you’re probably convinced that your precious little ones will enjoy cruising around in it.Before you go and start shopping for your beloved child’s first “car,” it pays to know what some of its pros and cons are; to determine if it’s the most suitable toy for his age.Driving around is incredibly fun, but it’s more than just child’s play. Ride-on toy cars can be a way for your child to learn different skills that he can apply later on in life. One of these skills is being independent.You’re not going to take care for your son and daughter forever. Sooner or later, they have to get by on their own. This is why developing independence at a young age can be beneficial.An electric car can teach self-reliance because your little driver gets to make decisions whether to turn right or left, go uphill or downhill, and to speed up or slow down. Whatever choice they make, they have the opportunity to handle the consequences.Kids need to know how to work with their hands, and driving an electric vehicle is an entertaining way to teach him. Good hand-eye coordination can be developed when you allow your child to interact with tools and machines like. It makes him more aware of his surroundings and trains his brain and hands to respond to various situations.When acquired at a young age, this ability can prove useful, especially if your child becomes a surgeon or painter in the future.Like many parents these days, you may be concerned with how much time your kids spend sitting in front of the TV or tinkering with their gadgets every day. If you’ve been looking for a way to make them enjoy the sunshine more instead of being cooped up indoors with their video games, an electric car could be the answer.Going out to play enables them to move around. Being outdoors can be, particularly in these times when childhood obesity is becoming an issue. Because children have higher energy levels when outside, they burn more calories and build stronger bones and muscles.Let your child participate in doing chores like washing his car and putting it away in a designated area of your house. This will not only teach him responsibility but also builds his self-confidence because this will make him feel that he has accomplished something. Families form stronger bonds when every member is acknowledged as making a valuable contribution.Letting your kid go electric car-riding in the park with other kids his age helps him to understand the concept of cooperation and. While traveling in a group, they decide together which part of the park to go and explore without getting in each other’s way.If the car is a two-seater, your child will learn valuable lessons on sharing and cooperation as he takes turns with a friend in driving.Although there’s very little chance of your kid falling off or colliding with another, a ride-on electric car has its risks. With a toy car that’s easy to turn on and operate, what parents fear most is their kids driving straight to a pool or an open road.This concern, though, can be remedied by always supervising your child while he’s on the wheel.The car runs on the power of a battery which needs to be recharged after every use. A fully-charged one can provide your child about an hour and a half of riding. The time can be even shorter depending on speed and terrain.Charging time can take as long as four hours, so your kid has to practice a bit of patience before he can go zooming away again.Your kid may be having such a great time with his car that he doesn’t ask other children to play with him anymore. Making your child happy by buying him a toy that he loves is a good thing, but he also needs to socialize and connect with his peers.To make sure that this is done, take your child regularly to a large park where others with electric cars also play. This will allow him to spend time together with other kidsIf you are considering to give your child an electric car as a gift, you have to ensure that it is the best choice for both of you. He may be the one driving and riding in it, but you also play an important role in assuring that it influences him in a positive way.
All forms of electric vehicles (EVs) can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions.
The United States became a net exporter of petroleum in 2020 with exports surpassing imports, although imports of 8.32 million barrels per day in 2022 remained an important part of balancing supply and demand for domestic and international markets. Overall, the transportation sector accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of U.S. petroleum consumption. Using more energy efficient vehicles like hybrid and electric vehicles supports the U.S. economy and helps diversify the U.S. transportation fleet. The multiple fuel sources used to generate electricity results in a more secure energy source for the electrified portion of the transportation sector. All of this adds to our nation’s energy security.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) typically use less fuel than similar conventional vehicles because they employ electric-drive technologies to boost vehicle efficiency through regenerative braking—recapturing energy otherwise lost during braking. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and all-electric vehicles, also referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), are both capable of being powered solely by electricity, which is produced in the United States from natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, wind energy, hydropower, and solar energy.
Although energy costs for EVs are generally lower than for similar conventional vehicles, purchase prices can be significantly higher. Prices are likely to equalize with conventional vehicles, as production volumes increase and battery technologies continue to mature. Also, initial costs can be offset by fuel cost savings, federal tax credits, and state and utility incentives. The federal Clean Vehicle Tax Credits are available are available to consumers, fleets, businesses, and tax-exempt entities investing in new, used, and commercial clean vehicles—including all-electric vehicles, PHEVs, fuel cell EVs—and EV charging infrastructure. Some states and electric utilities also offer incentives, many of which can be found in the Laws and Incentives database. For more information on available incentives, connect with your local Clean Cities coalition.
Use the Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare lifetime ownership costs of individual models of electric vehicles and conventional vehicles.
Electric vehicles can reduce fuel costs dramatically because of the high efficiency of electric-drive components. Because all-electric vehicles and PHEVs rely in whole or part on electric power, their fuel economy is measured differently than that of conventional vehicles. Miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles are common metrics. Depending on how they are driven, today's light-duty all-electric vehicles (or PHEVs in electric mode) can exceed 130 MPGe and can drive 100 miles consuming only 25–40 kWh.
HEVs typically achieve better fuel economy and have lower fuel costs than similar conventional vehicles. For example, FuelEconomy.gov lists the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid at an EPA combined city-and-highway fuel economy estimate of 50 miles per gallon (MPG), while the estimate for the conventional 2023 Corolla (four cylinder, automatic) is 35 MPG. Use the Find A Car tool on FuelEconomy.gov to compare fuel economy ratings of individual hybrid and conventional models.
The fuel economy of medium- and heavy-duty all-electric vehicles and PHEVs is highly dependent on the load carried and the duty cycle, but in the right applications, all-electric vehicles maintain a strong fuel-to-cost advantage over their conventional counterparts.
All-electric vehicles and PHEVs have the benefit of flexible charging because the electric grid is near most locations where people park. To safely deliver energy from the electric grid to a vehicle’s battery, an EV charging station, sometimes referred to as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is needed. Drivers can charge overnight at a residence, including multifamily housing, as well as the workplace or a public charging station when available. PHEVs have added flexibility because they can also refuel with gasoline or diesel (or possibly other fuels in the future) when necessary.
Public charging stations are not as ubiquitous as gas stations. Charging equipment manufacturers, automakers, utilities, Clean Cities coalitions, states, municipalities, and government agencies are rapidly establishing a national network of public charging stations. The number of publicly accessible charging stations in the United States reached more than 53,000 in 2023, offering more than 137,000 charging ports, according to the Alternative Fueling Station Locator. Search for electric charging stations near you.
Electric and hybrid vehicles can have significant emissions benefits over conventional vehicles. All-electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, and PHEVs produce no tailpipe emissions when operating in all-electric mode. HEV emissions benefits vary by vehicle model and type of hybrid power system.
The life cycle emissions of an electric vehicle depend on the source of the electricity used to charge it, which varies by region. In geographic areas that use relatively low-polluting energy sources for electricity production, electric vehicles typically have a life cycle emissions advantage over similar conventional vehicles running on gasoline or diesel. In regions that depend heavily on conventional electricity generation, electric vehicles may not demonstrate a strong life cycle emissions benefit. Use the Electricity Sources and Emissions Tool to compare fuel-cycle emissions by vehicle type and state.
The advanced batteries in electric vehicles are designed for extended life but will wear out eventually. Several manufacturers of electric vehicles are offering 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranties. Predictive modeling by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory indicates that today’s batteries may last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates (8 to 12 years in extreme climates). In addition to climate, other factors impacting battery life include driving and charging patterns, battery cell chemistry and design, and the vehicle-battery-environment thermal system.
Check with your dealer for model-specific information about battery life and warranties. Although manufacturers have not published pricing for replacement batteries, some are offering extended warranty programs with monthly fees. If the batteries need to be replaced outside the warranty, it may be a significant expense. Battery prices are expected to continue declining as battery technologies improve and production volumes increase.