Interest in EVs has surged over the past few years. Since Tesla’s success in the market, more automakers, such as Ford, Chevrolet, and Hyundai, have added electric vehicles into their lineups. And as more consumers purchase EVs, they’ll eventually pass those cars down to teen drivers. Some people might scoff at the idea of teens learning to drive behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, but EVs are great for new drivers for many reasons.

1. EVs provide active safety features that can protect teens 

One of the top reasons EVs are great for teens is they come equipped with active safety features. Most EVs advanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, lane assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. As EV technology progresses, car manufacturers will add more safety features to the latest models.

All drivers can benefit from these features because they help create safer roads. However, teens and new drivers will significantly benefit from driving cars equipped with those safety technologies as they learn how to navigate the roadways. 

2. EVs give parents insight into their teens’ driving habits 

Another benefit to teens driving EVs is that parents can control and monitor their kids’ actions on the road. For example, Chevrolet offers Teen Driver in some of its models, including the Bolt EV and EUV.

This technology gives parents more control over how their teen drives without having to sit in the passenger seat. Parents can set speed alerts and limits, stereo volume controls, and even reminders where the vehicle won’t shift out of park unless the driver buckles the seat belt, Cars.com reports. These precautions might seem excessive, but preventing accidents is the goal.

3. Electric vehicles save money through low maintenance 

In addition to the safety aspects electric vehicles provide, EVs are incredibly low-maintenance. Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs require little upkeep on their battery, motor, and associated electronics. Along with saving money on maintenance-related costs, teens and parents can also look forward to lower fuel costs.

4. EVs’ one-pedal driving can help teens avoid collisions

A final reason that makes EVs great for teens is one-pedal driving. Though not all electric cars have this feature, it’s becoming more common. One-pedal driving is beneficial because the driver uses only the accelerator pedal for speeding up and slowing down. So when the driver releases the accelerator, the vehicle automatically slows much quicker than a gas-powered vehicle. This feature especially benefits teens, who are still learning to judge distances when driving. 

Although EVs have introduced problems that require solutions, electric vehicles are rapidly improving. And as production increases, we’ll see more teens behind the wheel of EVs.