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.
Key Takeaways
- Electric cars are generally more efficient and cheaper to operate than gas cars, especially for daily commuting.
- Gas cars offer faster refuelling and longer uninterrupted driving range, which can suit frequent long-distance travel.
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) combine electric driving for short trips with gasoline flexibility for longer journeys.
- Fuel costs, charging access, climate, and driving habits are the biggest factors when choosing between EVs and gas cars in Canada.
Electric vs. gas cars: Key differences
The main differentiator between a car that’s powered by gasoline versus one that’s powered by electricity is the energy source. BEVs or battery-powered electric vehicles are fitted with a large battery that can be charged, just like a cell phone.
If the leap to a fully electric vehicle seems a bit daunting, consider hybrid or plug-in hybrids that use a smaller battery in combination with a gas engine to increase range when a plug-in point isn’t available.
Charging an electric vehicle couldn’t be easier, as there are Level 3 fast charging stations across Canada that you can drive up to plug-in, similar to filling up with gas at a gas station. But it does take a bit longer with an electric car, though not as long as it used to.
The energy stored in the battery is used to power the electric motor that turns the wheels, which is essentially the same process for a gas car, except instead of a battery, there’s a tank containing gasoline. Burning the gasoline in the engine results in explosive forces that push the pistons up and down, rotating a crankshaft that sends power through the transmission and then to the wheels. The small batteries in gas cars are used for starting the engine and powering accessories, not driving the wheels.
A gas car can be refuelled in minutes, and there are gas stations around every corner. They are convenient and familiar, but tailpipe emissions, a result of burning gasoline, are a major source of air pollution. Electric cars still cost precious resources to produce but have zero driving emissions and have proven much cleaner than comparable gasoline cars, even after a few short years. However, some power plants still use coal or natural gas to produce electricity, but EV benefits in eco-friendliness and efficiency make them a compelling choice in the marketplace.
If the leap to a fully electric vehicle seems a bit daunting, consider hybrid or plug-in hybrids that use a smaller battery in combination with a gas engine to increase range when a plug-in point isn’t available.
Charging an electric vehicle couldn’t be easier, as there are Level 3 fast charging stations across Canada that you can drive up to plug-in, similar to filling up with gas at a gas station. But it does take a bit longer with an electric car, though not as long as it used to.
The energy stored in the battery is used to power the electric motor that turns the wheels, which is essentially the same process for a gas car, except instead of a battery, there’s a tank containing gasoline. Burning the gasoline in the engine results in explosive forces that push the pistons up and down, rotating a crankshaft that sends power through the transmission and then to the wheels. The small batteries in gas cars are used for starting the engine and powering accessories, not driving the wheels.
A gas car can be refuelled in minutes, and there are gas stations around every corner. They are convenient and familiar, but tailpipe emissions, a result of burning gasoline, are a major source of air pollution. Electric cars still cost precious resources to produce but have zero driving emissions and have proven much cleaner than comparable gasoline cars, even after a few short years. However, some power plants still use coal or natural gas to produce electricity, but EV benefits in eco-friendliness and efficiency make them a compelling choice in the marketplace.
A quick comparison of electric cars vs. gas cars
Feature |
Electric cars (EV) |
Gas cars (ICE) |
Energy Source |
Battery electricity |
Gasoline |
Efficiency |
Higher |
Lower |
Charging |
Yes |
No |
Maintenance |
Potentially cheaper |
Potentially more expensive |
Driving Emissions |
Zero |
Greenhouse gas |
Best for |
Daily commuting |
Towing, long-distance driving |
Performance and driving range
EV and battery technology have improved by leaps and bounds in just a few years. Most new EVs, even lower-cost options, provide at least 400 km of range, meaning road trips are no longer out of the question.
- Some large battery vehicles can now travel over 700 km per charge, meaning range anxiety is a thing of the past.
- Access to Level 3 fast charging stations has improved greatly
- Many EVs now come with built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports, allowing access to Tesla supercharging stations all over North America
- Level 2 home charging is much faster with even long-range EVs able to fully charge overnight.
EV performance
Electric motors produce nearly all their torque from a moment the accelerator pedal is pressed, meaning most EVs can accelerate quicker than their gasoline counterparts. Electric motors are also compact, and many EVs have 2 or more of them, which makes all-wheel drive possible.
Many dual motor EVs can accelerate as fast as an exotic sports car while making little in the way of sound or emissions. EVs are also more efficient than gasoline cars and generate little in the way of waste heat and have no hot exhaust or toxic fumes to deal with.
Just like in a gas car, spirited driving will negatively impact range and efficiency. However, even with this performance on tap, EVs offer driving modes and comfort features for an easy, safe and pleasant ride simultaneously.
Many dual motor EVs can accelerate as fast as an exotic sports car while making little in the way of sound or emissions. EVs are also more efficient than gasoline cars and generate little in the way of waste heat and have no hot exhaust or toxic fumes to deal with.
Just like in a gas car, spirited driving will negatively impact range and efficiency. 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
While charging an EV still takes longer than filling up with gas, battery tech has greatly improved and many EVs can add hundreds of kilometres of range under 30 minutes.
It’s also a big advantage that an EV can be charged at home, meaning you can plug it in every day after coming home and have a charged vehicle in the morning. This is just not possible with a gas car.
It’s also a big advantage that an EV can be charged at home, meaning you can plug it in every day after coming home and have a charged vehicle in the morning. This is just not possible with a gas car.
EVs can also be practical for road trips as there are more Level 3 fast charging stations now, especially along well-travelled corridors like the 401 between Toronto and Montreal. Since the average EV can go over 350 km between charges, most people are likely going to stop to stretch their legs well before that.
For those that do a lot of driving or tow heavy equipment, especially during winter, a gas car or plug-in hybrid might be the best option, as fueling up at a gas station can be much more convenient.
Fueling Category |
Best for |
Home charging |
daily commuters |
Public fast charging |
road trips |
Gas refuelling |
high-mileage drivers |
Environmental impact comparisons
Addressing global vehicle emissions—which represent about 15% of energy-related output—is a shared challenge for the automotive industry. As EVs become more common, the total environmental impact decreases further.
EVs also use only a fraction of the mechanical parts of ICE cars, potentially reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing, maintenance and replacement parts.
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, potentially reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing, maintenance and replacement parts.
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
If range anxiety is still a concern or the thought of charging is too inconvenient, plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds: a battery and full EV mode for emission-free driving, and a gasoline motor that acts as a range extender.
If you have a short commute (under 60 km per day), the Outlander PHEV will run on electricity alone, only firing up its gas engine once the battery is depleted. In this case, the Outlander PHEV is an EV first and a gas car when you need it to be, offering a convenient yet environmentally conscious solution to a full battery-powered vehicle.
If you have a short commute (under 60 km per day), the Outlander PHEV will run on electricity alone, only firing up its gas engine once the battery is depleted. In this case, the Outlander PHEV is an EV first and a gas car when you need it to be, offering a convenient yet environmentally conscious solution to a full battery-powered vehicle.