Buying a new car is always a challenging task. If you are a first time buyer, you really don’t know which car to buy. Whether you want to buy a Sedan or an SUV, or a compact hatchback, you have endless options to choose from.
However, with the advent of Electric Vehicles or EVs, the task has become even more challenging. Now you have to choose whether a fuel car is better or an EV.
Is an EV better than conventional petrol or diesel-driven cars? Or is it just hype?
In this article, we dig deeper to understand the differences between a fuel vehicle and an electric vehicle. After reading the article, you will be in a better position to make an informed decision.
So let us get started with some fundamentals.
A conventional fuel vehicle, like a car or a motorbike, uses fossil fuel like petrol or diesel to power its internal combustion engine.
A typical petrol or diesel car includes an engine, transmission, driveshaft axles and differential. When the internal combustion engine burns the fuel with air in a pressurized chamber with the help of a spark, tremendous mechanical force is generated.
Later the mechanical energy is transferred to the transmission, which relays the power to the wheels via the driveshaft and differential.
In simpler words, a fuel vehicle burns petrol or diesel to power and propel the vehicle.
On the other hand, an electric vehicle or EV is equipped with an electric powertrain made up of a battery pack, an electric motor and a transmission.
The energy stored in the battery pack is transmitted to the electric motor via a controller. The electric motor in the vehicle converts the electrical energy into kinetic energy via transmissions.
The fuel that is used in an EV is electricity and not petrol or diesel. Due to its electric motor, the EV remains silent while operating. From the outside, the appearance of an EV looks similar to a conventional fuel vehicle.
Now we know the difference between these two types of vehicles, we can move on to learn their advantages and disadvantages.
Let us look at fuel vehicles first.
Although Combustion engines are responsible for most of the carbon emissions in the world but they have the following advantages.
Now let us see electric vehicles.
Now let us look at the other side of the picture.
Now let us compare each other on various parameters.
Parameter | Fuel Vehicle | Electric Vehicle |
Fuel Type | Fossil Fuel – Petrol, Diesel, LNG | Electrical Energy – Generated from Fossil Fuels like Coal, Furnace Oil, Gas |
Power | Internal Combustion Engine with transmission | Electric Motor and Battery pack |
Cost | Low – Medium - High | Medium - High |
Fuel Cost | High as it depends upon geopolitical tensions | Charging Cost is low. |
Maintenance Cost | High because of servicing | Low |
Efficiency | Higher on highways but lower on city roads | Higher on inner city roads but lower for long distance travel |
Carbon Emissions | High Carbon Emissions and Noise Pollution | Zero Carbon Emissions and Less Noise Pollution |
I hope after comparing these two vehicles with each other, you will be able to make the right decision about which one is best for you.
Finally, in concluding remarks, I would say you can’t say with authority which one is best for you. It depends upon the country you live in. If petrol and diesel prices are higher in your country then go for an EV, but if fuel prices are lower, you can stick with fuel cars.