Electric cars vs. Petrol cars: Which is Better? The Pros and Cons
Still feeling stuck between electric and petrol cars? In this article, find out everything you need to know about petrol vs. electric and which is better for you.
Buying a new car was already a tough decision, what with the wide range of models available. Add to that the question of whether to choose petrol or electric, and it becomes even harder.
Not to worry! In this article, we take a look at electric cars versus petrol cars and which is better, with pros, cons, and everything in between.
Differences between petrol and electric cars
On a surface level, we know that petrol and electric cars are powered differently. But what are the actual differences?
With a petrol car, the power comes through spark ignition which is used to make the vehicle move. An electric car draws power from a battery via an electric motor to power the wheels instead.
This variance in power sources then brings us to another key difference – refuelling. Petrol cars will need their tanks filled up at a petrol station, whereas electric cars need plugging into a power source to recharge.
As you would expect, there are further differences when it comes to driving experience. Electric cars are always automatic, meaning there is no changing gear required.
They are also often smoother and quieter to drive, unlike petrol cars which require revving to make use of available torque. Now we know the differences, let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Pros and cons of petrol cars
Petrol cars have been relied on for many years as a source of transportation. However, they have their advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- More affordable to buy than electric cars
- Less range anxiety compared to electric models
- Lots of used options available
- Quicker to refuel than to charge
Cons
- Rising fuel prices
- Road tax charges
- Produce greater CO2 emissions
- Steep costs for entering Low Emission Zones (LEZs)
Pros and cons of electric cars
Although undeniably more efficient than petrol cars, electric cars have their share of pros and cons.
Pros
- Zero tailpipe emissions
- No road tax to pay
- Smoother and quieter to drive
- Lower maintenance and running costs
Cons
- Higher price point than petrol cars
- Lower range compared to petrol cars
- Charging takes more time than refuelling
- More anxiety around range
Both petrol and electric cars are not without their drawbacks. Which is right for me, you ask? It may sound like an easy answer, but it really does depend on your needs and preferences.
If you live in the city near plenty of charging stations, electric cars will be perfect as you won’t have to pay congestion zone charges. You’ll also get the most out of your range when driving around at slower speeds.
Alternatively, if you regularly complete a lot of longer journeys, a petrol car will be more suitable for you. These often deliver better fuel economy when going further, unlike an electric car whose range will deplete faster.
Electric vs petrol cars – purchasing
The cost of purchase is another important factor when comparing electric and petrol cars. For many people, if the price isn’t right then it’s off the list.
When comparing prices for new electric and petrol cars, there is a clear winner when it comes to price point – petrol cars.
In the UK, petrol cars can cost as low as £20,000-£30,000 depending on the model. Though buying a new electric car can set you back anywhere between £40,000-£60,000 and beyond.
Due to their advanced technology, electric cars are typically more expensive to buy than petrol cars. The Kia EV6 for example will cost you from £45,020, while you could get a new petrol Volkswagen Golf from just £26,841.
If you’re on a strict budget, you’ll find fewer electric car options available to choose from. However, if you can afford to splurge a little, you’ll be able to enjoy lower running costs which we’ll come onto next.
Of course, pricing largely depends on make, model, and specification, so you’ll have to take this with a pinch of salt.
Electric vs petrol cars – running costs
For many people, how much it costs to run a vehicle will also determine whether or not they buy it. When estimating running costs, you’ll need to consider:
- Insurance
- Road tax
- Fuel and charging costs
- Servicing MaintenanceCongestion zone charges
Insurance will vary depending on the specific vehicle you buy. All cars will fall into a group based on factors like value, performance, safety, and security. Learn more about these in our guide to car insurance groups.
As for road tax, this will depend on the level of emissions the vehicle produces. The higher the emissions, the higher the road tax you’ll pay.
Fuel and charging costs are another important thing to consider when calculating running costs. As of June 2024, electric cars remain cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars.
Using a home charging point at the standard rate, you can expect to pay around 22.36p per kWh. While at the local petrol station, it costs over £1.45 per litre for petrol and £1.54 for diesel on average.
Public chargers are reasonably priced and offer a much faster way to charge electric cars. These cost around 56p per kWh for a slow/fast charger and 80p per kWh for rapid/ultra-rapid chargers.
Given that most electric cars have a 62kWh battery, it would cost around £34.72 to fully charge your EV with a fast or slow AC charger. However, for a petrol car, filling up the average tank at the petrol station could cost as much as £74.
Again, prices will vary depending on the car you drive, and where you choose to refill or recharge. From a general perspective, it seems that electric cars are still cheaper to run than petrol cars – especially with rising fuel prices!
If you live in a city, you can expect added costs from congestion zone charges. These are in place to limit the number of highly polluting vehicles in built-up areas to improve air quality.
In London, drivers of non-compliant vehicles are charged £15 per day for driving in these zones. Over time, this is sure to add to your running costs if driving a petrol car, unlike electric cars which are currently exempt.
Electric vs petrol cars – maintenance
If you’re looking for a lower-maintenance car, then electric cars will fit the bill. Since they contain far fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel cars, electric cars are much cheaper to maintain.
Petrol and diesel engines contain thousands of parts which need to be oiled to remain effective. Electric cars, however, don’t require any oil changes, with only the battery requiring special attention.
This is the only thing that may cost more to maintain since electric car batteries use advanced technology. They will require special diagnostic tools and EV-trained technicians to make sure there are no issues. Learn more about electric car servicing.
If you do still want to own a petrol or diesel car, service plans offer a great way to help you get organised. Setting aside a small amount each month, you won’t need to worry about any unexpected issues on MOT day. Many service plans also include the cost of the service and MOT.
At Vertu Motors, our Priority Service Plan gives you an easier way to manage your car servicing, saving you up to 25% compared to one-off rates.
Browse new car deals at Vertu Motors
We hope you’ve found this article useful. Made your decision? At Vertu Motors, we offer a wide range of new cars for sale, whether you’re looking for electric, hybrid, petrol, or diesel cars.
Choose from top manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, MINI, and more.
With our range of flexible finance options, fitting your new car into your budget has never been easier. We offer Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Hire Purchase (HP), and Personal Contract Hire (PCH) offers that can be tailored to your needs.
Browse our latest new car deals available below, or get in touch with our friendly team if you have any questions.
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