For the past century, fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel have been used to power automobiles. While they do perfectly complement a car’s engine, none can deny that gasoline and diesel also contribute to CO2 emissions and environmental pollution. Electric automobiles are useful in this situation. In addition to having far lower emissions than their gasoline and diesel equivalents, electric automobiles are also more affordable over time. However, because the electric engine is still a relatively new technology, there appears to be some misunderstanding among prospective auto buyers about whether to choose an electric vehicle or to remain with the conventional petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Today we will try to clear up your mind by comparing few aspects between EV and traditional fuels.
Pricing-
Currently, the cost of electric cars in India is greater than that of their gasoline-powered automobiles. The price of the batteries, which differ from other batteries, may be to blame for this. Modern technology is used in their construction to provide the greatest amount of durability on a single charge. The cost of an electric car will probably decrease in a few years as the technology advances and is used more often, however for the time being, EVs cost 25–30% more than petrol or diesel automobiles. This doesn’t mean that investing in EV is not a good idea. If we compare the long run we can save a decent amount of money a few years down the line.
Running costs
Typically, the cost of operating an electric automobile is between Rs. 1.2 and Rs. 1.4 per kilometer, whereas the cost of gasoline is between Rs. 9 and Rs. 10. Given the cheap cost of power, the total amount you would wind up paying on battery charging over the course of, say, 6 to 8 years would hardly exceed Rs 1 lakh. On the other hand, a typical fuel-powered vehicle would need about 4.5 lakhs of rupees’ worth of petrol or diesel during the same time period. Simply said, even though they are more expensive up front, electric automobiles are far more cost-effective in the long term.
Although electric automobiles are now more expensive to buy than their petrol and diesel equivalents, they are also less expensive to maintain and service. This is because compared to ICE automobiles, which require routine lubrication of gears and engines, replacement of worn-out parts, and maintenance of other mechanical elements, electric vehicles have far fewer components to maintain. Therefore, since an EV has fewer parts, there is less likelihood of wear and tear, which means fewer frequent trips to the service center for vehicle inspections. Speaking of checkups, the electric motor in an EV might occasionally need to have the brake fluid topped off and the condition of the battery checked.
Performance
Since there are no other moving components other than the electric motors, driving an electric automobile is quiet and comfortable. Unlike IEC automobiles, which require the energy to be processed through gears, clutches, and the engine in order for the car to move, these motors get all of the battery’s energy, resulting in tremendous torque and pickup speeds.
As a result of having fewer moving components than a car powered by fossil fuels, an electric vehicle may operate more effectively. In most cases, an electric vehicle’s battery capacity is equal to the size of a petrol tank, meaning the range it would offer is adequate for more or less one day of commuting around the city, .but again it also varies from car to car (and their battery capacities).
Also, the fact the EV charging stations aren’t as widespread as petrol pumps is a disadvantage for now. Additionally, electric cars can take a long time to top up the battery, depending on the source; that is not a concern if you have a petrol/ diesel car. All in all, if you hit the road for long journeys every now and then, a petrol or diesel car is a better pick, while for daily city commutes an electric car has got you covered.
LIFE
In light of recent initiatives to combat the nation’s rising pollution levels, the government has recommended that IEC-based vehicles be discarded after 15 years since they continue to produce harmful levels of pollution after this time. After using a product for a few years, you may pay excessive costs due to component failures, replacements, and upkeep of worn-out parts. On the other hand, the battery is the major part of an electric vehicle. Although the majority of electric car manufacturers provide a lengthy battery guarantee (often 6–8 years), the battery would need to be replaced after 10–12 years or when it entirely degraded and ceased to work as planned.
The cost of an EV battery in India ranges from Rs 15,000-20,000 per kWh at the moment. So, say on average an electric car has a 30kWh battery, so the battery replacement will cost you around Rs 4.5 lakhs to 6 lakhs, which is enough to burn a hole in your pocket. However, the cost is likely to come down in the coming years.
So to conclude, We’ve now covered the key elements of an electric and gasoline car that must be considered when buying one of the two. In conclusion, an EV is a superior choice for daily city driving since it recharges more cheaply, requires far less maintenance, and can be charged at home or special charging locations. However, in the long run, replacing the battery after 10 to 12 years might result in a significant expense. Last but not least, EVs now cost just a little bit more than gasoline-powered automobiles with comparable range.
As an alternative, it is heartening to know that numerous state governments are offering incentives of up to Rs 1.5 lakhs, or Rs 10,000 per kWh of battery capacity, on the purchase of EVs. This effort supports the government’s goal of having only electric vehicles on the road in India by 2030. So, in the years to come, the EV industry may be expected to experience some significant advancements.
Speaking of conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles, they are still a superior choice for repeated long journeys, can be refueled quickly at any of the many hundreds of gas stations in a metropolis, and are now a more affordable upfront alternative.
