The rapid development of technology and the automotive industry today makes it difficult for drivers to choose the right car before making a purchase due to the variety of options. One of the most common questions is which engine type to choose – gasoline or diesel, hybrid or electric? In this article, we compare cars with different fuel types and help you choose the best option for you.
Primarily, cars differ in purchase price, power, acceleration, fueling options, and the emissions they release. Additionally, factors like the purpose of driving, average trip length, and whether you mainly drive in the city or on highways should be considered. The driver’s environmental outlook also plays a role, as vehicles with internal combustion engines are among the most polluting factors according to research.
Gasoline and Diesel Car Market Share in Europe Declining
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ECEA), the distribution of cars using different fuel types in Europe in 2022 compared to 2021 was as follows:
- Gasoline 36.4% (-3.5%)
- Hybrid 22.6% (+2.8%)
- Diesel 16.4% (-3.2%)
- Battery electric vehicles 12.1% (+3.0%)
- Plug-in hybrid 9.4% (+0.5%)
- Other 2.8% (-0.5%)
- Compressed natural gas 0.2% (-0.2%)
However, European statistics do not reflect the situation in Estonia, where as of July 1, 2023, 463,956 (48.1%) of passenger cars (categories M1 + M1G + N1 + N1G) were gasoline-powered and 447,424 (46.4%) were diesel cars. This leaves a very small share (5.5%) for various types of electric, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicles.
Overview of Gasoline Cars
Advantages of Gasoline Cars
- Gasoline pumps are the most common in gas stations.
- High-revving and responsive engines.
- Fuel warms up quickly.
- Maintenance costs are lower than for other types of cars.
Disadvantages of Gasoline Cars
- The fuel contains harmful carcinogens – such as benzene – which increase the risk of cancer and other diseases.
- Burning gasoline produces harmful greenhouse gases.
- Gasoline is more volatile and expensive than diesel.
- The oil from which gasoline is made is a limited resource.
Gasoline Cars: Purchase Price vs. Maintenance and Fuel Costs
Gasoline cars can be purchased at the lowest price. Although gasoline is more expensive than diesel, a gasoline-powered car is still more cost-effective in the long run due to its lower maintenance costs compared to other types of cars. However, as the value of gasoline cars decreases, it may be more challenging to sell them in the future compared to electric or hybrid vehicles.
Is a Gasoline Car the Best Option for You?
A gasoline car is likely the best choice for you if:
- Your circumstances (e.g., budget) or personal preferences do not favor a hybrid car.
- You want to keep purchase and maintenance costs as low as possible.
- Most of your trips are within the city.
- You drive fewer than ~20,000 km per year.
- You enjoy the sound of a gasoline engine.
Overview of Diesel Cars
Advantages of Diesel Cars
- Diesel is cheaper than gasoline.
- Lower fuel consumption compared to gasoline cars.
- Lower emissions due to reduced fuel consumption.
- Diesel engines have more torque, which makes them ideal for heavy-duty transport.
- Cold-resistant diesel fuels allow vehicles to operate even in extreme winter conditions (down to -32°C).
Disadvantages of Diesel Cars
- Diesel cars are more expensive to buy than gasoline-powered cars.
- Higher repair costs.
- Fuel prices fluctuate.
- The oil used to make diesel is a limited resource.
- Seasonal diesel fuels must be used.
- Diesel cars take longer to warm up in winter, although this can be mitigated with a pre-heating system.
Diesel Cars: Maintenance and Resale Value
The higher purchase price of diesel cars comes from their more complex engines and additional systems. Diesel engines have more parts, and their maintenance requires higher spending. However, diesel cars lose value more slowly than gasoline cars, making it easier to sell them at a good price later.
Diesel Cars: Purchase Price vs. Fuel Costs
Diesel cars have a higher purchase price than gasoline cars, but you can make up for the difference through lower fuel consumption. A diesel engine uses 15-20% less fuel than a gasoline engine due to running at lower revolutions.
Is a Diesel Car the Best Option for You?
A diesel car is likely the best choice for you if:
- Your circumstances (e.g., budget) or personal preferences do not favor a hybrid car.
- You regularly fill up with cheaper fuel but are willing to spend more on maintenance.
- You often transport heavy loads.
- Most of your trips are on highways.
- You drive more than ~20,000 km per year.
Overview of Plug-in Hybrids
A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses more than one type of powertrain. In popular usage, a hybrid car refers to a vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, but the definition can also include vehicles that use other fuel combinations such as gasoline + LPG (autogas). This article focuses on plug-in hybrids, though some facts apply to other hybrid types.
Advantages of Plug-in Hybrids
- Environmentally and fuel-efficient, particularly suited for city driving.
- High resale value.
- Quiet engine operation.
- More cabin space than electric cars, as fewer batteries are used.
- Hybrids require less maintenance since many moving parts are under less strain than in vehicles with only internal combustion engines.
- The ability to travel long distances without refueling – if the battery is empty, the car switches to fossil fuel energy.
Disadvantages of Plug-in Hybrids
- High purchase price.
- Maintenance requires specialists, and it is expensive.
- Smaller engines mean hybrids may not accelerate as powerfully.
- Charging points may be scarce in some areas, making charging challenging.
- Charging takes significantly longer than traditional fueling.
Plug-in Hybrids: Purchase Price vs. Maintenance and Fuel Costs
A hybrid car may suit someone who can afford a large initial investment and primarily drives in urban areas. One drawback of hybrids is that while they may not experience mechanical issues for a long time, repairs can be very expensive.
If you buy a hybrid mainly for highway driving, the high purchase price plus gasoline costs may be difficult to justify. In the city, the vehicle uses more electricity, which reduces fuel consumption, but it may still not be the most economical option in the long run compared to a gasoline engine.
Overview of Electric Cars
Advantages of Electric Cars
- The most environmentally friendly option – no emissions while driving.
- Minimal noise pollution and a quiet driving experience.
- High resale value.
- Excellent acceleration.
- Low maintenance costs.
- Electricity is cheaper than fossil fuels.
Disadvantages of Electric Cars
- High purchase price.
- Long-distance driving requires charging stops.
- Charging takes longer than traditional fueling.
- Charging points may be scarce in some areas, making charging difficult.
- In Estonia, electricity is mainly produced in fossil fuel-based power plants, making electric cars less environmentally friendly than one might expect.
- The quiet motor can be a danger to pedestrians and other road users, as the car is harder to notice.
Electric Cars: Purchase Price vs. Maintenance and Fuel Costs
The main downside of electric cars is their high purchase price, which is several times higher than other car types. However, they have lower maintenance costs, as they have around 20 moving parts compared to the 2000 moving parts in a gasoline or diesel car.
Electric cars are cheaper to use daily compared to gasoline or diesel cars, as even with high electricity prices, electricity remains cheaper than any fossil fuel. Electric cars also have the highest resale value, due to their expensive and durable batteries.
Diesel vs. Gasoline Cars
Although hybrid and electric cars are gaining popularity, for most people, the choice remains between gasoline and diesel. We will now compare just these two most popular options.
Fuel Consumption
Diesel is cheaper per liter than gasoline, and diesel engines consume less fuel than gasoline engines.
Fuel Characteristics
Diesel engines do not perform well in short trips in cold weather, but they are preferred for highway driving. Diesel cars take longer to warm up in winter without preheating, compared to gasoline cars.
Particulate Filter Blockage
Since 2009, all diesel-powered cars are required to have a particulate filter (DPF) to capture residues like soot and ash from diesel combustion. While the filter can be cleaned at high revolutions on highways, it will eventually clog and require cleaning or replacement at a workshop.
Gasoline cars also have a similar filter – Petrol Particulate Filter (PPF). Since gasoline engines run at higher revolutions, their exhaust gases are hotter and clean the filter automatically. Thus, gasoline car filters require less attention than diesel filters.
Purchase Price
Diesel cars are more expensive due to their engine complexity and additional systems – they have higher compression and parts that need to withstand greater loads.
Repair Costs
The complexity of the engine also leads to higher repair costs – diesel engine oil and spare parts are more expensive than those for gasoline cars. However, this difference can be offset by lower fuel costs when driving over ~20,000 km per year.
Transport Needs
Since diesel engines generally have higher torque than gasoline engines, they are preferred for transporting goods. This is one reason why diesel engines are used in commercial vehicles like trucks. If you plan to regularly transport items like caravans or boats, a diesel car may be a better choice than a gasoline car.
The Future of Car Fuels
The fact is, the automotive industry is moving away from traditional fossil fuels like diesel and gasoline. However, no one knows for sure what the future car fuel will be. Some experts are convinced it will be electricity, but other potential alternatives such as hydrogen or high-ethanol fuel blends also exist.
The current high point of technological development is hybrid cars, which serve as a bridge to electric vehicles. The use of hybrid cars has shown that they are an effective middle ground between electric and internal combustion engine cars.
As of 2018, Estonia had the highest carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer from new cars compared to all other EU countries. This indicates that Estonians should pay more attention to the environmental friendliness of their cars.
Fuel Types in Estonia
Most people in Estonia do not need to worry about tolls, as they are only required for vehicles over 3.5 tons.
What to Choose?
Not all the disadvantages and advantages of each fuel type affect every driver the same way, so it’s important to carefully consider your options and decide which features are most important to you.
The main advice when buying a car is: if you regularly drive long distances, a diesel car is the best choice. For city driving and short trips, a gasoline car is more suitable. From an environmental perspective, the most suitable option for the city is still an electric car. Plus, there are enough charging points in the city to easily find a convenient one.
Before starting your search for a new car, it’s important to analyze whether a lower purchase price translates to savings in the long run. We recommend considering your lifestyle and what you value most in a car. It’s not about the quantity of pros and cons for a specific engine, but their meaning for you.
If you’re on the search for a car and unsure which fuel type is best, we offer an easy-to-use comparison tool where you can check out all types of cars, including gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric cars, to find the best match for your needs.
Original post is found here: https://mobire.ee/koik/mida-eelistada/
