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With endless options, buying a dream car is challenging and needs a lot of research. The introduction of electric vehicles for retail consumers has made the final choice even more difficult. With an increasing number of vehicle manufacturers launching their EV versions in India, studying electric cars vs petrol cars is worth the effort. The skyrocketing fuel prices have further encouraged many consumers to opt for electric vehicles to save money in the long run.
In the following sections, we will provide an in-depth insight into electric and petrol car options to help make an informed choice.
An electric car is a vehicle that runs fully or partially on electric power. These vehicles have rechargeable batteries, a transmission, and an electric motor. The battery stores electricity and transmits it to the engine through a controller to power the engine and rotate the wheels to make a car run. It converts electrical energy into mechanical energy that propels the car without generating much noise.
A petrol car is a motor car that uses a spark-ignited internal combustion engine that runs on petrol. The powertrain includes a transmission, engine, differential and driveshaft axles. The engine burns fuel with a spark to generate mechanical energy, transfers it to the transmission system, and relays it to rotate the wheels via differential and driveshafts.
Electric and petrol car options differ from each other in the following ways:
Parameters | Petrol Cars | Electric Cars |
Fuel Requirement | A petrol car has a combustion engine that uses fossil fuels like petrol for operation. | An electric car has an electric motor and battery that stores power for operation. |
Cost | While the purchase price of a petrol car is relatively lower, the fuel and maintenance costs increase over time. | Electric cars are expensive, but they help save money in the long run due to cheaper charging costs than petrol. |
Recharge | You must take your petrol car to a petrol pump for refuelling. | You can install an EV recharge station at home to recharge it conveniently. You may also drive the car to a public charging station to recharge it. |
Carbon Emissions | Petrol vehicles emit huge volumes of carbon dioxide that pollute the environment. | Electric vehicles are smoke-free and do not emit any polluting substances. Thus, they are eco-friendlier options for daily commuting. |
Registration | You must pay registration charges when you buy a petrol car, which is a percentage of the vehicle’s price. | Currently, electric cars have no registration charges, making them an economical vehicle option. |
Insurance | Insurance premiums for petrol cars are cheaper. | Insurance premiums for electric vehicles are comparatively expensive. |
Here are the Pros and Cons of Electric Cars:
Here are the Pros and Cons of Petrol Cars:
Cons of Petrol Car
Now that you understand EV vs petrol cars, their differences, and pros and cons, it's time to decide whether to buy an electric or petrol vehicle. Well, that largely depends on your geographical location and requirements. If you live in a metro city with many charging stations, an electric car would be a practical solution. An EV will also be a favourable option if you are an environment-loving individual looking to minimise your carbon footprint. However, if you are looking for an all-in-one car with robust performance on all terrains, go for a petrol car with a combustion engine. You may also opt for an electric petrol car, a hybrid of both that switches engines according to requirement.
Deciding between an electric and petrol car is not as simple as it seems to be. It is essential to understand the differences between electric cars vs petrol cars and consider their pros and cons to make an informed decision. With so many available options, you can find one that best suits your commuting requirements. If you are a beginner or want to avoid investing your savings in buying a new car, you can buy a pre-owned vehicle with a used car loan from Hero FinCorp. Apply now!
1. Is an electric car better than a petrol car?
The final answer to this question largely depends on your usage habits. Electric cars are more suitable for daily commuting from point to point. However, opt for a petrol car if you seek higher power delivery for extensive driving covering longer distances.
2. Which car to buy, petrol or diesel or electric car?
Although the final choice depends on your preferences and driving habits, an electric car is better than petrol and diesel cars for various reasons, including low carbon emissions, quieter operation, lower electricity costs, and higher performance.
3. Which is faster, a petrol or an electric car?
To understand this question’s answer, you must first understand the difference between fast and quick. A petrol car is faster than an electric car because it has the capacity to reach a higher running speed. On the other hand, an electric vehicle is quicker because it can travel from A to B in less time.
4. Do electric cars have gears?
Electric cars have one gear that gives full torque at different speeds to provide instant acceleration.