Electric Cars vs. Gas Cars: Compare, Pros/Cons & How to Choose
Whether you want to drive greener for the planet, cruise in the latest automotive technology or eliminate your trips to the gas station, you’re so close to buying an electric vehicle (EV). But you still have a few questions as you shop between electric cars and gas cars.
Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice when you hit the showroom.
Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice when you hit the showroom.
Electric vs. gas cars: Key differences
Electric cars run on electricity from a battery. Gas cars run on gasoline from the fuel tank. You can dive deep into internal combustion engine (ICE) and EV powertrains, but knowing the essentials of how they work will prepare you for the dealership. Choosing an electrified vehicle also means considering hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which have both gas and electric powertrains working together.
Electric cars work by charging their battery with an external cable, much like a cell phone or laptop. Energy from the battery powers motors that turn the wheels — and, voila.
Gas cars work by putting gasoline into their fuel tanks, which is then sent to the engine, where it’s burned. The explosive forces within an engine's cylinders work together to send power through the transmission and out to the wheels. The small batteries in gas cars are used for starting the engine and powering accessories, not driving the wheels.
Most people are familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of fossil-fuelled vehicles — namely, the flexibility to fuel at plentiful gas stations, but the downside of tailpipe emissions. EVs ditch fossil fuels from the car itself, but natural gas and coal are still used in some electricity generation stations. Yet EV s’ overall efficiency, eco-friendliness, performance and ease of ownership make them compelling choices for climate-conscious buyers.
Electric cars work by charging their battery with an external cable, much like a cell phone or laptop. Energy from the battery powers motors that turn the wheels — and, voila.
Gas cars work by putting gasoline into their fuel tanks, which is then sent to the engine, where it’s burned. The explosive forces within an engine's cylinders work together to send power through the transmission and out to the wheels. The small batteries in gas cars are used for starting the engine and powering accessories, not driving the wheels.
Most people are familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of fossil-fuelled vehicles — namely, the flexibility to fuel at plentiful gas stations, but the downside of tailpipe emissions. EVs ditch fossil fuels from the car itself, but natural gas and coal are still used in some electricity generation stations. Yet EV s’ overall efficiency, eco-friendliness, performance and ease of ownership make them compelling choices for climate-conscious buyers.
Advantages of EVs
EVs get power from electrical plugs, eliminating the gasoline emissions problem. This alone is a compelling enough advantage for many EV drivers. For owners who have home solar systems or other renewable, free or low-cost electricity sources, the emissions reductions — and financial savings — multiply. Performance is another advantage; one that surprises many unfamiliar shoppers as soon as they hit the accelerator.
These battery-powered cars can be much lower in maintenance, because they have fewer moving parts. Electric motors are much simpler machines than ICEs, which have hundreds of moving parts, plus fluids and an ignition source.
These battery-powered cars can be much lower in maintenance, because they have fewer moving parts. Electric motors are much simpler machines than ICEs, which have hundreds of moving parts, plus fluids and an ignition source.
Challenges of EVs
Charging and range. That’s what holds back many EV buyers, but modern electrified vehicles with fast-charging capability can add nearly 100 km of range in under an hour. The total range is a tougher nut to crack. The easy answer to more range is more battery, but that adds weight, so every additional kilometre costs more than the last.
Manufacturers make strategic choices on whether to prioritize range, price or charging speed to offer a variety of solutions that meet different buyers’ needs.
Manufacturers make strategic choices on whether to prioritize range, price or charging speed to offer a variety of solutions that meet different buyers’ needs.
Long-term cost comparison
The first question you’re probably asking is how much anv EV costs compared to a gas car. While prices fall and options increase, battery-powered cars tend to go for about $3,000 more on average than a comparable gas model. For EVs that qualify, federal incentives can effectively shave thousands off the price , making them as affordable as — or even more affordable than — gas models.
The next thing to consider is fuel consumption. EVs can be as efficient as achieving 2.0 Le/100 km (gasoline litres equivalent per 100 km), while gas cars can easily top ten times that at 20 L/100 km or more, especially for big trucks and SUVs and muscle cars. In a 20,000 km driving year, an EV driver’s annual fuel (electricity) cost could be as low as $500, while an ICE driver’s fuel (gasoline) cost could be $4,000 or more.
EVs don’t need oil changes, while ICE cars do roughly every 15,000 kilometres. Trips to the service centre can be much less frequent with an EV, because batteries and electric motors don’t need much maintenance. However, because of their weight and instant torque delivery, EVs can wear out their tires quicker than gas cars.
For a general comparison of long- term costs, consider if you usually take short or long trips and how many kilometres you drive in an average year. Then, think about where you’ll be charging and how much that costs. Remember that charging infrastructure is improving every year, with a three fold increase in the number of stations since 2018.
But how often will you need to visit the charger?
The next thing to consider is fuel consumption. EVs can be as efficient as achieving 2.0 Le/100 km (gasoline litres equivalent per 100 km), while gas cars can easily top ten times that at 20 L/100 km or more, especially for big trucks and SUVs and muscle cars. In a 20,000 km driving year, an EV driver’s annual fuel (electricity) cost could be as low as $500, while an ICE driver’s fuel (gasoline) cost could be $4,000 or more.
EVs don’t need oil changes, while ICE cars do roughly every 15,000 kilometres. Trips to the service centre can be much less frequent with an EV, because batteries and electric motors don’t need much maintenance. However, because of their weight and instant torque delivery, EVs can wear out their tires quicker than gas cars.
For a general comparison of long- term costs, consider if you usually take short or long trips and how many kilometres you drive in an average year. Then, think about where you’ll be charging and how much that costs. Remember that charging infrastructure is improving every year, with a three fold increase in the number of stations since 2018.
But how often will you need to visit the charger?
Performance and driving range
Even if you’re planning a lot of long road trips, EVs can be a logical choice. Most have driving ranges that will keep you on the road for half a day or more. You’re likely to need a bathroom or snack break before you need to charge up, if you leave with 100% charge. Technology in electrified vehicles improves every year, increasing range and performance.
Can EVs go the distance?
In the broad range of EVs, driving range estimates span from about 150 – 500 kilometres. Small, lower-cost EVs with comparatively smaller batteries have a shorter range than larger, more expensive EVs with big batteries that carry juice for the long haul.
While range anxiety causes hesitation in many EV shoppers, most people realize that the majority of their driving needs fit well within the battery’s range. Especially for those who can charge at home, it’s as simple as plugging in at night, much like your cell phone .
EV performance
You can also get where you’re going quickly. Not only do EVs sprint from a stop thanks to instant electric torque, but their aerodynamic design and consistent, smooth power delivery also have you hitting high speeds in no time.
Electricity provides essentially instant power, something you notice every time you flip a light switch. In a similar fashion, EVs can deliver nearly all of their power as soon as you hit the pedal. Acceleration is noticeably quicker than typical ICE cars. Even some of the most economical and affordable EVs can beat sports and muscle cars off the starting line.
Just like in a gas car, spirited driving will negatively impact range and efficiency. As charging infrastructure supports faster plugs and more stations, that will be less of a problem. However, even with this performance on tap, EVs offer driving modes and comfort features for an easy, safe and pleasant ride simultaneously.
Electricity provides essentially instant power, something you notice every time you flip a light switch. In a similar fashion, EVs can deliver nearly all of their power as soon as you hit the pedal. Acceleration is noticeably quicker than typical ICE cars. Even some of the most economical and affordable EVs can beat sports and muscle cars off the starting line.
Just like in a gas car, spirited driving will negatively impact range and efficiency. As charging infrastructure supports faster plugs and more stations, that will be less of a problem. However, even with this performance on tap, EVs offer driving modes and comfort features for an easy, safe and pleasant ride simultaneously.
Charging vs. refuelling
As important as the range is to your decision, changing time should also be near the top of your priority list. How quickly a car can recharge its battery from low to full can be just as impactful as how far a full battery goes. Electric architecture and charging advancements are pushing ranges higher and charge times lower every year.
While you can refuel an empty gas tank in just a few minutes, going from 0 to 100% on an EV’s battery can take hours. However, smaller top-ups can add dozens of miles of range in half an hour — about the time it would take to grab a coffee, a snack and make a trip to the bathroom.
Environmental impact comparisons
Science has proven over and over that tailpipe emissions from ICE cars are a detrimental force on our environment and our health. Worldwide, carbon emissions from vehicles on our streets account for 15% of energy-related emissions. EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, which helps chip away at the issue. As sustainable electricity generation becomes more pervasive, the total environmental impact decreases further.
EVs also use only a fraction of the mechanical parts of ICE cars, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing, maintenance and replacement parts. Battery production, which includes mining for minerals, is also on the path to sustainability.
EVs and other electrified cars represent the future of automotive technology, allowing the planet and its people to breathe easier. In an effort to accelerate the shift to EVs and reduce these tailpipe emissions, the Canadian government is phasing out ICE cars and trucks by 2035. The plan dictates a gradual shift to a greater proportion of car sales being plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and full EVs, eventually whittling down new gas models to zero.
It’s no wonder eco-conscious buyers are flocking to electrified vehicles. Learn more about the types of EVs, benefits and incentives for Canadian drivers.
EVs also use only a fraction of the mechanical parts of ICE cars, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing, maintenance and replacement parts. Battery production, which includes mining for minerals, is also on the path to sustainability.
EVs and other electrified cars represent the future of automotive technology, allowing the planet and its people to breathe easier. In an effort to accelerate the shift to EVs and reduce these tailpipe emissions, the Canadian government is phasing out ICE cars and trucks by 2035. The plan dictates a gradual shift to a greater proportion of car sales being plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and full EVs, eventually whittling down new gas models to zero.
It’s no wonder eco-conscious buyers are flocking to electrified vehicles. Learn more about the types of EVs, benefits and incentives for Canadian drivers.
PHEV: The best of both worlds
One model offering the range and flexibility of an ICE powertrain with the efficiency and earth friendliness of an electric powertrain — and the most exciting aspects of both — is the Outlander PHEV. Discover how the Outlander PHEV leads the charge toward sustainable innovation without compromising on performance.