Are you planning to buy a car? Confused about the number of choices you have to choose from? A long time ago, it used to be effortless to pick out a car because you knew that small vehicles have petrol engines while most vans and lorries used engines that run on diesel. However, with gasoline, diesel, electric, hybrid and even driverless cars becoming a possibility, it will be challenging for you to select a vehicle which isn’t only economical but also provides you with the best mileage and features. It is why we’ve decided review two of the most popular types of cars on the market today, which are the diesel and electric cars.
The reason why we won’t be discussing gasoline cars is that they aren’t only outdated but also don’t offer a lot of incentives as compared to diesel and electric cars. Most of the engines of vehicles manufactured today either run on electricity, diesel, or a combination of both.
So, let’s compare both electric and diesel cars and decide which one is the better option for you.
Diesel cars
As you might already know, diesel-powered engines run a lot more efficiently as compared to gasoline engines and this may be because they don’t have the same compression rate as their counterparts. While diesel cars are similar to motors which are powered by gasoline, they don’t use spark plugs to unite the fuel-air mixture but instead use the heat from compressing the air in the chamber to first ignite the fuel, then supply power to the engine. As compared to a gasoline engine, vehicles that run on diesel have an improved fuel efficiency of about 25%-30%.
Advantages of purchasing a diesel car
- Diesel cars save you from costs on ignition tuning because they don’t use sparks or distributor but instead rely on the heat which is produced by the compression of the air cylinder.
- Because diesel is more rugged and robust its nature, it lasts a lot longer than gasoline and engines perform better with this type of fuel.
- Vehicles which are powered by diesel provide more engine torque and give the car a lot more power and speed as compared to those that are powered by gasoline.
- Because of these cars more fuel efficient, they will help you with fuel economy and provide much better mileage as compared to gasoline-powered engines and vehicles.
- Because these cars produce less CO2 and have a lower carbon footprint, they don’t demand the same road taxes as other gasoline vehicles.
Disadvantages of purchasing a diesel car
- As for now, diesel is slightly more expensive than gasoline. While this is something which could change in the future, this is a setback for buyers who think that the higher price reduces the advantage of fuel mileage.
- While engines that run on gasoline don’t need a lot of servicing, repair costs can go higher up if issues are encountered.
- Insurance is higher by almost 15% as compared to gasoline-powered vehicles because they cost a lot more to repair or replace.
- Vehicles which are on diesel are more expensive as compared to those that run on gasoline and this may be why buyers are reluctant to purchase immediately.
Electric cars
Now that we’ve discussed everything about the diesel-operated vehicle let’s talk about the electric vehicle. These cars which are the standard driven vehicle in several parts of Europe and UK provide an excellent alternative to standard gasoline-powered engines. The primary distinction between a purely electric car and others is that it doesn’t require any fuel and instead runs mainly on electricity. Remember that an electric vehicle is different from a hybrid because it doesn’t rely on gasoline. Though these cars were first desirable to drivers who were environmentally conscious, their performance and other benefits make them a good catch for people around the world.
To efficiently use an electric powered car, you need to connect it to a power supply via a plug, which will charge the battery. The vehicle will run on this power while you’re driving and a process called regenerative braking will help recharge the battery along the way.
Though you have a limited range of choice available, there are two main types of electric cars you’ll see running on the road.
Battery Electric Vehicles: This kind of electric car operated entirely on the energy which is provided by the battery. The car runs on power from an electric drivetrain that doesn’t rely on an internal combustion engine.
Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles: This is a relatively new technology as compared to a BEV and relies on the electricity which is produced by the reaction between oxygen and hydrogen. While this is still an emerging technology, you can expect to see a lot more cars with this engine in the future. However, if you’re looking for vehicles with these engines, the Toyota Mirai is the first car to use this technology.
Advantages of purchasing an electric car
- Electric cars don’t rely on diesel or gasoline as their main power source.
- They are the most environmentally safe vehicles from the lot.
- They provide zero emission, road tax, and congestion charges.
- Save you a lot of money because electricity is a lot cheaper than other vehicle fuel choices.
- Cars which run on electricity don’t need a lot of maintenance.
Disadvantages of purchasing an electric car
- You might find it challenging to locate a recharge point away from home; this is why it might not be ideal to take the vehicle out for long drives.
- They are costlier as compared to diesel or gasoline cars and provide a mileage of 50-100 miles per charge.
The final verdict
Though the decision to purchase a diesel or electric car depends entirely on your budget and requirements, you have to know that according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Energy, electric vehicles are cheaper to own and run as compared to diesel and petrol vehicles. Remember that it is best to make an informed decision because this will be quite a significant investment on your part, so don’t be in a rush. Find your best choice of car at any retailer that proclaims that ‘we buy any car.’
