Are Electric Cars Really Headed for Extinction?

Are electric cars really becoming extinct?

A recent report from Business Insider says we’re nearing the “second great electric-car extinction,” stating that while Tesla’s sales have risen year over year, total sales of electric cars have declined. This drop in sales combined with a technological shift toward self-driving cars spell the end for the electric car, the author predicts.

Don’t write the obituary for the electric car just yet.

While sales have dipped slightly from 2014, they’re still up over last year, and are on pace to surpass 2013. These numbers hold true even if you subtract Tesla sales from the overall total.

Affordability or Range?

New models and scientific developments could also erase a dilemma that’s stopped electric cars from really taking off among the masses.

Those looking to buy an electric car often have had to choose between two things: affordability and range.

Tesla has worked to improve vehicle range with a battery upgrade, but it comes at a price. A Tesla Model S will set you back at least $66,000, but you’ll be able to travel up to 210 miles on a single charge. An upgrade to a slightly larger battery will give you a range up to 249 miles, but it will cost upwards of $74,500.

If you choose affordability, the Nissan Leaf starts at $29,010, but you’ll only be able to travel up to 84 miles before needing a charge.

The Chevy Bolt, slated for release by the end of the year, could be a game-changer in this space. With a $37,500 price tag and an estimated range of 238 miles, this car could be the balance of price and range that’s needed to make electric vehicles a more attractive option.

Tesla is also working on a Model 3, which starts at $35,000 and has a range of 215 miles. Deliveries of this car are scheduled for late 2017.

In the coming decade, prices for electric cars are predicted to fall further, making the vehicles a more economic option for more consumers.

New research suggests that dramatic reductions in battery prices will make electric vehicles a cheaper option than gasoline or diesel cars in the decade ahead, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

In fact, electric vehicles are expected to account for 30% of global new car sales by 2040, according to Bloomberg.

Could the rise of self-driving cars wipe out the electric car? Perhaps, but it’s too early to say.

Do you think electric cars are headed for extinction? Share your thoughts in the comments, and learn 8 reasons why electric vehicles are the future of transportation.