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Electric Vehicle Vs Fuel Vehicle Which One is Better to go With
Automotive
2 years ago

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.

What is a Fuel Vehicle?

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.    

What is an Electric 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. 

Advantages of a Fuel Vehicle

Although Combustion engines are responsible for most of the carbon emissions in the world but they have the following advantages. 

  • They are relatively less expensive than EV vehicles. 
  • Performance wise they are much better than EVs. Whether it is speed or acceleration, or horsepower, fuel vehicles are much better. You can travel thousands of kilometres with fuel vehicles without refuelling; however, with an EV, you have to recharge after a few kilometres. 
  • There is no dearth of petrol pumps to refuel the vehicle, but the charging infrastructure of EVs is still in its infancy. Similarly, a vast network of service stations is available for petrol cars but not for EVs. 
  • Combustion engine lasts longer than electric motors, especially petrol engine. 
  • There is a wide range to select from.   

Disadvantages of a Fuel Vehicle

  • The first and foremost disadvantage of fuel vehicles is the massive amount of carbon emissions that pollute environment. Automobile emissions constitute more than 30% of the total carbon emissions.  
  • Despite fuel vehicle being inexpensive to purchase, it is very expensive to operate due to rising diesel price in India.  
  • Maintenance cost is also very high because of complex mechanical components and regular servicing charges. 
  • Fuel vehicles make a lot of noise while burning fuel. 

Now let us see electric vehicles. 

Advantages of an Electric Vehicle 

  • The most obvious advantage of an EV is zero emissions. An EV does not emit carbon or any other greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. They don’t pollute the air we breathe. 
  • Electric Vehicles are very easy to drive because of very simple power transmission and control. Due to the absence of any mechanical parts, they are silent in operations. 
  • EVs are very silent as their electric engine doesn’t make any noise. So no noise pollution!
  • Low maintenance and servicing costs. 
  • In some countries, government provide subsidy and tax benefits to people who want to buy EVs.  

Disadvantages of an Electric Vehicle 

Now let us look at the other side of the picture. 

  • The driving range of electric vehicles is very short. You can’t use an EV for intercity travel. You cannot take them for a long drive because they have to be charged repeatedly. 
  • EVs are less powerful than petrol or diesel vehicles. 
  • Charging infrastructure for EVs is underdeveloped, and you may have to wait for long hours at a public charging station. 
  • Installing a home charging module can cost you dearly. 
  • There is a dearth of expert mechanics that repair EVs. 
  • Replacing batteries is very expensive compared to fuel vehicles. 
  • Electricity generated for charging the EVs comes from non-renewable energy sources like coal and petroleum. So more electricity has to be generated to meet the demands. 

Electric Vehicle Vs Fuel Vehicle 

Now let us compare each other on various parameters. 

ParameterFuel VehicleElectric Vehicle
Fuel TypeFossil Fuel – Petrol, Diesel, LNG Electrical Energy – Generated from Fossil Fuels like Coal, Furnace Oil, Gas 
Power Internal Combustion Engine with transmissionElectric Motor and Battery pack 
CostLow – Medium - HighMedium - High
Fuel CostHigh as it depends upon geopolitical tensionsCharging Cost is low. 
Maintenance CostHigh because of servicingLow 
EfficiencyHigher 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 PollutionZero 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.   

Conclusion 

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.