Time and time again, we found ourselves facing the reality that driving is bad for the environment. More so than that, rising fuel costs are eating up more of our pay cheques than ever before and so you may find yourself wondering – could an electric car be better? Whether you’re already sifting around used Nissan car dealerships, or you’ve just begun thinking about investing in a new car, we’re comparing electric and fossil-fuelled cars to determine which is best.
Cost
While there’s no distinct difference between the standard cost of a petrol/diesel or an electric car, vehicles with low emissions – namely hybrids and electric cars – are subject to a government grant of up to £3,500 in the UK. This grant is given to the dealership and manufacturer in order to reduce the final cost of the car, helping to make them a much more attractive option for those seeking to buy new. This can cover cars, vans, motorcycles, mopeds and taxis, and include popular models such as:
- Nissan LEAF
- BMW i3 and i3s
- Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- Hyundai KONA Electric
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Modal X
- Volkswagen e-Golf
- And more!
For this reason, electric cars that were once more costly than standard petrol or diesel options are becoming much more affordable, sometimes more so than their fossil-fueled counterparts.
Efficiency
In terms of cost, fuel and energy efficiency, both petrol and electric cars have their ups and downs. Electric cars are significantly cheaper to fuel than standard petrol cars and, as we all know, better for the environment in terms of the emissions while it’s running. However, experts are beginning to argue that the emissions might not be quite as low as we think, particularly when taking into account how much energy is required to make the cars, where the electricity used to charge the car comes from, and general everyday wear of the car.
In terms of fuel efficiency, there doesn’t appear to be much between car types. While the cost per gallon of fuel is drastically different, a full ‘tank’ can often get both cars just as far as one another, though petrol and diesel cars do have the advantage of ease when it comes to re-fuelling.
Practicality
Driving wise, electric cars aren’t much different from petrol and diesel cars, with the exception that all models appear to be automatic. What does let electric cars down, however, is the fact that finding a power station isn’t as easy as a petrol station, and charging the car can take upwards of half an hour – a long time, compared to the few minutes spent filling up a petrol tank. It’s a small price to pay for improved environmental efficiency, but for those on longer journeys, it can make the entire trip that much longer.
Are Electric Cars The Future?
While electric cars aren’t set to take over from petrol for another 20 years at least, they’re working their way up to become a more feasible choice for drivers across the UK and beyond. With lower costs, the rise in available charging points and overall fuel efficiency, they’re certainly making an argument as a likely contender for the standard way of driving.
What’s more, as the state of our environment becomes more and more prominent in terms of priority, governments across the globe are changing their emissions laws, driving out cars that emit excessive levels of pollution.
Whether you’re a fan of the standard petrol and diesel engines, or you’re looking to make the switch, understanding the pros and cons of both options is important. Which are you leaning towards?
