ECONOMIC, INFRASTRUCTURAL AND OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Electric vehicles are increasingly considered a strategic direction in the modernization of road transport, energy policy and sustainable urban mobility. While the technical and environmental benefits of electric vehicles are widely discussed, their practical implementation also depends on economic feasibility, charging infrastructure, service readiness, electricity supply, user behavior and operating conditions. This article analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles from economic, infrastructural and operational perspectives. The study examines the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles, including purchase price, energy cost, maintenance cost, battery life, depreciation, charging costs and potential savings compared with internal combustion engine vehicles. It also discusses the role of public and private charging infrastructure, home charging, fast charging, grid capacity, smart charging, service networks and high-voltage safety requirements. The operational limitations of electric vehicles are analyzed through factors such as range anxiety, charging duration, cold-weather performance, battery degradation, long-distance travel, rural use, towing load, used vehicle market uncertainty and dependence on the electricity tariff system. The results indicate that electric vehicles can provide significant long-term economic benefits under appropriate conditions, especially in urban driving, fleet operation, daily commuting and regions with affordable electricity. However, these benefits are reduced when charging infrastructure is insufficient, electricity prices are high, battery replacement risks are unclear or the vehicle is used in harsh climatic and long-distance conditions. The article concludes that the economic success of electric vehicles depends not only on the vehicle itself, but also on the coordinated development of charging infrastructure, energy systems, service education, battery recycling and supportive transport policy.