Is an Electric Vehicle (EV) Superior to a Fuel Vehicle?

Choosing a car is a difficult undertaking because there are so many possibilities available. The addition of electric vehicles has made the situation more difficult. Electric vehicles are becoming more and more common in India, so it is a viable option. However, to make an informed choice, you must first understand how an EV compares to a regular fuel vehicle. This article will answer that query by giving you a thorough comparison of electric vs. petrol vehicles.

Electric vs Petrol Car

An electric car, as the name suggests, is powered by electricity stored in a rechargeable battery pack. Unlike a patrol car, which uses standard fuel (petrol). However, the outward styling of EVs and gasoline-powered vehicles is comparable. An eco-friendly vehicle's outward appearance might, however, undergo minor adjustments to accommodate the electric drivetrain. However, it can be difficult to tell if it's a gas or electric automobile from the outside. Thorough explanations for both categories of vehicles are provided here.

Electric Car

A battery pack, an electric motor, and gearbox make up the electric powertrain of an EV. A controller transmits the power from the battery pack to the electric motor. Through the gearbox, the motor transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy, which drives the wheels. Because of the electric motor, an electric car is completely silent when in motion.

Petrol Car

A petrol car is a vehicle with an internal combustion (IC) engine, which consumes fuel to move the vehicle forward. The powertrain of a petrol-powered car consists of an engine, gearbox, driveshaft axles and differential. Through the use of spark plugs, an internal combustion engine (IC engine) burns the mixture of petrol and air to produce mechanical energy. The gearbox receives mechanical energy and transmits it to the driveshafts and differential, which then sends the power to the wheels. A petrol engine, to put it simply, consumes gasoline to provide energy to move the vehicle.

You can use the table below to compare the two cars' main attributes and make an informed choice when you're shopping for your new vehicle.

Electric Car vs Petrol Car

Parameter

Electric car 

Petrol car 

Fuel 

Electrical energy 

Petrol 

Power 

Electric motor 

Internal combustion engine 

Cost 

Expensive (High price) 

Affordable than EVs 

Cost of fuel 

Low 

High 

Cost of maintenance 

Low 

High 

Fuel efficiency 

Higher in the city and lower on highways 

Higher on highways and lower in city roads 

Carbon emissions 

Zero 

High 

Electric Car vs Petrol Car: Cost Comparison

One of the most important differences between electric and gasoline-powered cars is price. An electric vehicle often costs more up front than a car powered by a petrol engine. The sophisticated technology and intricate electric powertrain of an EV are the cause of this.

Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

The benefits and drawbacks of an electric car are listed below

Pros and Cons of Electric Cars
  • Due to their straightforward controls, electric cars are simple to drive. 
  • Due to the absence of mechanical components, they are silent when in use. 
  • Because of the high starting torque, EVs have rapid acceleration. 
  • Low maintenance and less frequent service intervals than gasoline-powered automobiles. 
  • low operating costs.  
  • Electric vehicles have no emissions and aid in lowering carbon footprints. 
  • If a home charging system is installed, electric vehicles can be charged there. 
  • If you borrow money to purchase an EV, you may be eligible for government subsidies and tax breaks. 
Negative aspects of electric vehicles
  • Electric cars have a limited operating range, making it impossible to travel large distances between charges. 
  • Long-distance EV driving can be challenging if there aren’t enough public charging stations. 
  • A home charging module installation is an additional cost. 
  • lack of qualified mechanics to maintain/repair green vehicles. 
  • An EV’s battery pack replacement might drain your bank account. 

Pros and Cons of Petrol Cars

The benefits and drawbacks of cars using petrol engines are listed below.

Petrol automobiles have advantages.
  • There are many different petrol vehicles available on the market for you to choose from. 
  • Traditional petrol vehicles are reasonably priced. 
  • Petrol cars provide a more enjoyable driving experience thanks to improved acceleration, handling, and top speed. 
  • Petrol engines are more durable than EV’s electric motors. 
  • Owning a patrol car is made simpler by a broad network of service centers and easy access to knowledgeable specialists. 
  • There are petrol filling stations around. Refueling is therefore not a problem. 
  • On a full tank of petrol, conventional cars can travel long distances. 
The disadvantages of fuel vehicles
  • The operating expenses of gasoline-powered automobiles are high because gasoline is more expensive than electrical energy. 
  • Because of the complicated mechanical components, maintenance costs are considerably greater. 
  • Pollutes the environment by emitting hazardous carbon emissions. 

Factors that Favour EV Car Buying

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose an environmentally friendly automobile.

  • Fuel costs: An electric automobile operates on electricity. Electricity is far less expensive than traditional fuels (petrol/diesel), resulting in cheap operating expenses, and it is one of the most important aspects of owning a car. 
  • When you own an EV, you won’t have to make regular trips to the service center. Because electric vehicles have fewer mechanical components, their service intervals are not as frequent as conventional vehicles. It also decreased total ownership costs. 
  • Electric cars provide a unique driving experience since they are silent when in operation. An EV is straightforward to operate, even on congested highways, thanks to simple controls and quiet running. 

Factors Favoring Petrol Car Purchase

The following are some of the benefits of purchasing a traditional petrol automobile.

  • Price: Petrol vehicles are less expensive than EVs. It is one of the most significant advantages of conventional vehicles. A petrol automobile may be found in a variety of pricing ranges, which is not the case with electric cars. 
  • Variety of alternatives: When you buy a traditional automobile, you have an infinite number of possibilities. Vehicles ranging from little hatchbacks to huge SUVs are available from a variety of manufacturers. You may choose the best automobile for your needs from such a large selection. 
  • Performance: When it comes to driving enjoyment, petrol engines are unrivalled. If you want a powerful vehicle, look for one with a greater engine capacity and innovative technology. With their quick IC (Internal Combustion) engines, petrol automobiles give pure driving enjoyment. 
  • When you drive a petrol engine-powered vehicle, you don’t have to worry about maintenance of your automobile or locating replacement components. It is quite convenient to service/repair your petrol automobile because service shops and professional mechanics can be found all throughout the nation. 
  • Driving range: On a full tank of petrol, a petrol automobile has an excellent driving range. Furthermore, petrol and gasoline stations may be found across the country, and fueling takes only a few minutes. 

Conclusion

The critical question here is whether you should buy an electric automobile or a gas one. It is largely dependent on your needs and geographical location. In the Indian automotive sector, the debate between electric and petrol vehicles is raging. But, in the end, it is your necessity that determines your option. .

If you want to commute daily,

If you live in a city and you’re driving is limited to commuting to work, an EV might be a viable option if you are ready to pay the price. 

If you are seeking for an all-in-one vehicle,

If you want a car that can do everything and has a lot of power, an EV might not be the best choice. Remember that the charging infrastructure is not yet in place on a wide scale, thus charging the car might be difficult. You may also save money by purchasing a fuel automobile at a low cost. To summaries, EVs are not a horrible alternative in the current situation, but they cannot be your ‘only’ automobile.