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Petrol vs Diesel vs Electric: Which Car is Right for You?

11th, Sep 2023 5 min read time
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When it comes to different car types, there are many factors to consider. Cost of ownership, fuel efficiency, emissions, and more all need to be taken into account when making a decision about which type of car is right for you when making a purchase or entering a car lease.

There's a lot of debate around petrol vs diesel vs electric cars at the moment, and it can be difficult to decide which type of car is right for you. In this blog post, we will take a detailed look at petrol, diesel, and electric cars so that you can make an informed decision about which type of car is best for your needs.

What are the differences between these car types?

Before we begin comparisons, it’s important to know what makes each of these car types unique.

What are petrol cars?

Petrol cars are the most common type of car on the road. They run on petrol - which is a fossil fuel - and they have an internal combustion engine. Most standard everyday cars are fitted with petrol engines, from basic commercial vehicles to your standard family car.

What are diesel cars?

Diesel cars are similar to petrol cars in that they have an internal combustion engine and they run on fossil fuels. The main point of focus for diesel engines is that they have a lower rev count to make for much more torque than most other types of cars.

What are electric cars?

Electric vehicles (also known as EVs) are powered by electricity from batteries, and they don’t have an internal combustion engine. An electric vehicle saves on running costs significantly and is quickly becoming a new form of luxury car thanks to manufacturers such as Tesla.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each car type?

After taking a look at the basics of each type of car, let’s compare the main advantages and disadvantages of each:

Advantages of petrol cars:

  • Petrol is less expensive than diesel, making them staple family cars.

  • Petrol engines are smaller and lighter than diesel engines which gives the car a sportier feel.

  • Petrol vehicles tend to have better acceleration than diesel cars, making them a good option for a sports car.

Advantages of diesel cars:

  • Diesel fuel is more efficient than petrol, so you'll get more kilometres per litre.

  • A diesel engine generates more torque than petrol engines so towing and hauling are easier, making them excellent muscle cars.

  • Diesel vehicles tend to have a longer lifespan than petrol cars.

Advantages of electric cars:

  • Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel, so you'll save money with better fuel economy.

  • EVs emit zero emissions, so they're much better for the environment and air pollution than green cars.

  • Electric cars have instant torque, so they have great acceleration.

  • Electric car manufacturers are giving EVs the feel of luxury cars while still maintaining a passenger car chassis.

Petrol and electric fuel nozzles

Disadvantages of petrol cars:

  • Petrol is a finite resource, so it will eventually run out.

  • Petrol cars produce emissions that pollute the environment.

Disadvantages of diesel cars:

  • Diesel engines are louder than petrol engines.

  • Diesel prices are often higher than petrol prices.

  • Diesel cars can produce harmful emissions - even more than petrol cars.

Disadvantages of electric cars:

  • Electric cars need to be plugged in to recharge, and this can take time.

  • EVs can have a limited range, so you might not be able to drive as far as you want to go without recharging.

Which car type is right for you?

Now that we've looked at the pros and cons of diesel, electric and petrol cars, it's time to decide which one is right for you.

If you're looking for a car with good fuel economy, a petrol engine vehicle like a hot hatch car might be the best choice. If you're worried about emissions and want to do your part to reduce pollution, an electric car is a great option. And if you're looking for a powerful engine and don't mind a little extra noise, a diesel car could be the right choice for you.

Whatever your needs, there's sure to be a car out there that's perfect for you - whether that’s with a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a ute (known outside of Australia as a pickup truck), or something more simple like passenger cars.

Make getting your next car easi

No matter which type of car you go for, EasiFleet are the go to specialists for getting you into your new car with minimal hassle. Our experienced team are car leasing experts - meaning we can use our knowledge to deliver effective business car solutions every time.

Our vehicle leasing options are diverse and designed with flexibility in mind. To view our wide range of vehicle lease options - ranging from utes, to large SUVs, to hot hatchbacks - contact one of our staff today.