Electric vehicles (EVs) have taken the automotive world by storm as a more sustainable alternative to traditional gas-powered vehicles.
From its environmental benefits to its economic advantages, this sustainable car option is being adopted and utilised by many households around the developed world.
But, besides the namesake, how do EVs and gas-powered vehicles truly differ?
Surprisingly, there’s more to it than you might expect. Let’s look under the hood of each vehicular type and explore the differences between EVs and gas-powered vehicles.
1) Emissions
One of the most prominent differences between the two vehicles is their emissions.
Gas-powered cars produce significantly more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG) than their electric counterparts. This is because they run on nonrenewable fuel sources such as diesel and gasoline, both of which are notorious for releasing toxic pollutants into the air from the tailpipe.
On the other hand, EVs are a more environmentally-friendly option in the long run. This is because they don’t need to be refuelled with these nonrenewable fuels, eliminating emissions from the vehicle itself.
The only time EVs are more detrimental to the environment is during the battery manufacturing process itself, but throughout their lifecycle, EVs are far more sustainable.
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2) Mile Range
When fully fueled, the average gas-powered vehicle is capable of travelling up to 500 kilometres on a single tank.
This is a higher range compared to electric vehicles, as a single charge allows them to run 200 to 400 kilometres on average.
While this is an apparent disadvantage, it’s worth noting that the average person only travels about 40 kilometres a day.
Couple that with the fact that the majority of EV drivers can charge their vehicle overnight at home, and you may find that the mileage of an electric car doesn’t seem so limiting.
3) Frequency of Maintenance
Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts compared to gas-powered cars, which significantly decreases the frequency of maintenance required.
Gas-powered vehicles require periodic oil changes and other expensive repairs due to the higher number of car parts as well as the innate inefficiency of the internal combustion engine.
On the other hand, EVs don’t require any frequent upkeep because they run on fewer moving parts. You won’t have to pay for things like engine oil and air filters at all either, as these components aren’t found in electric cars.
That said, when the time comes that your electric vehicle needs a tune-up, EVs do have pricier replacement fees compared to gas-powered vehicles. This is because the batteries may need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years, and this component is expensive and hard to come by.
However, once the new battery has been fitted, your EV will be as good as ever!
4) Engine Type
The standard gas-powered vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine, where the fuel and air are mixed to create a combustion reaction. This engine can be loud and is generally inefficient in terms of energy conversion.
On the other hand, electric vehicles are powered by a silent electric motor which uses battery power to drive the car. This electric motor is silent and has the added benefit of being able to accelerate faster than a gas-powered engine.
To paint a comparison, a gas-powered engine uses only about 25% of its energy to propel the vehicle, whereas an EV uses about 80% of its energy for propulsion. This makes it more efficient and significantly more powerful.
5) Average Cost
It’s no secret that electric vehicles cost more on initial purchase compared to gas-powered vehicles.
In a lot of car types offering electric counterparts, such as the Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Kona Electric, it’s not unusual to see a markup by about $10,000 to $15,000.
However, in the long run, it’s still much more cost-effective to stick with electric vehicles because of the lower maintenance fee. The only time you’ll truly feel your wallet burning is during the purchase itself—it’ll only get up and up from there.
6) Government Grant Availability
While gas cars are more affordable and have a larger catalogue to choose from, government bodies encourage their citizens to switch to the more sustainable EV trend.
Governments across the US, UK, and Australia all offer incentives and tax credits in some form for EV owners. The prospect of a green economy is positive on multiple fronts—so it’s not difficult to understand why this is so.
In the UK for instance, the plug-in car grant is a recently-implemented grant that boosted the funding of EVs and EV-auxilliary infrastructure like charge ports within the nation.
Furthermore, EV owners have been able to enjoy zero road tax and company car tax rates from this grant for a while now. On average, it’s estimated that this grant has saved EV car, van, and motor owners £2,000 annually.
7) Insurance
Car insurance is a must-buy for every new car owner. It serves as a means to financially protect owners in the case of collisions, accidents, and minor vehicular incidents.
EV insurance, like ROLLiN’s car insurance, costs slightly more per year than regular gas-powered car insurance. This is because EVs have more complicated parts that aren’t easily procurable.
While the higher figure paints a worse case for EVs at a glance, it’s important to look at the true value when evaluating the pros and cons of gas and electric vehicles.
Gas-powered cars are generally a money sink in repairs and maintenance, costing $500 more per year on average. Allow a decade or two to pass, and you’ll find that EVs eventually edge out as the superior option.
