Electric Vs Petrol Car: Which Should You Buy

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

This clash of the titans looks at electric vs petrol car to see which you should be buying the next time you’re need new vehicle. When you’re looking at which car is going to be the perfect fit for what you need, there’s an awful lot for you to think about. You need to look at sizes, types, models, brands, features, conditions… the works. One thing that’s becoming more and more apparent in this list, however, is looking at electric cars, and how they stand up vs petrol cars and even diesel too.  It’s a choice we’ll all need to face at some point or another, and the tables are turning a lot quicker than people think.

Electric Cars

Electric cars are certainly not without their benefits. They have a huge list of ways they can make your life easier and cheaper too in many cases, but when we pitch them head to head vs petrol cars in particular, they have a couple of points that help them really stand out from the crowd.

Evolving Technology

One of the fastest growing advantages of electric vs petrol cars is that electric cars have some of the most revolutionary technology going. They are always getting better and better and that just makes them more desirable as a result. In recent years, we have huge mileage battery life, self-charging, and even hybrid usage too in some situations. It’s a great thing to get in on early.

Cheaper Running Costs

Another huge win of electric cars is that they are incredibly efficient in terms of their running costs. Mostly, that comes down to electricity as a fuel. With the right tariff, it is much cheaper to run a car on electricity than on fossil fuels. It’s also worth noting that you’ll likely face much fewer issues with maintenance issues too since there are fewer working parts involved in how they work.

Encouragement and Incentives

Lastly, it’s also always a good idea to look at what’s coming as well as what’s happening at the moment. Electric cars are receiving a huge amount of support from all walks of life. They’re good for the environment which is a priority for the whole world, and there are more and more incentives and accessible charging points every day as a result. It’s only going to get easier and more logical to think about switching from your petrol car. Fewer Fluids and Moving Parts (EV Benefits): One big reason electric vehicles (EVs) shine in maintenance is their simplicity. EVs don’t need oil changes, timing belt replacements, or spark plug swaps. The entire drivetrain has far fewer moving parts than a petrol engine. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all-electric cars typically require less maintenance because “the battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance” and there are fewer fluids like engine oil to change​ Brake wear is also reduced thanks to regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor to slow the car and recharges the battery​. In short, there are simply fewer things to break or service in an EV. Owners often report spending significantly less on routine maintenance over the life of the vehicle.

Still Needed for EVs: To be clear, EVs aren’t 100% maintenance-free. You’ll still need to rotate your tires, replace them when worn, and maintain proper tire pressure (an often overlooked task that affects range and safety). Brake fluid should be flushed on schedule (even if pads last longer). Coolant for the battery or thermal management system may require occasional checks or replacement (many EVs use coolant to keep the battery at optimal temperature). Cabin air filters still need periodic changing to keep your HVAC blowing clean. And of course, general inspections of suspension, steering, and other chassis components are necessary – EV or not, a car is a car when it comes to tires, brakes, and body hardware.

Cost Differences: With fewer maintenance tasks, EV owners generally spend less on service. A study by consumer groups found that over the life of a vehicle, EV maintenance costs can be half that of an equivalent petrol vehicle​

No oil changes, fewer brake replacements, and less frequent dealer visits can save EV drivers thousands of dollars. However, EV owners should budget for potential big-ticket items down the road – namely, battery degradation. While EV batteries are designed to last many years (often with 8-year/100,000-mile warranties), they do slowly lose capacity. Replacing an out-of-warranty battery can be expensive (think several thousand dollars). Fortunately, battery prices are expected to drop as technology improves, and most drivers may never need to replace their battery during the car’s useful life​

Dealer vs. DIY: Another difference is where you get service. Many EV owners report needing far fewer dealer visits. Basic things like tire rotations can be done at any shop. Software updates for EVs can often be done over-the-air or during infrequent checkups. Petrol cars, on the other hand, might need more frequent dealer-specific attention for engine tuning, emissions checks, and fluid services. If you enjoy DIY car maintenance, gas cars have an edge – enthusiasts can change their own oil or spark plugs. With EVs, there’s less to tinker with (and high-voltage systems are best left to professionals for safety).

Future Considerations: As EV adoption grows, independent mechanics are becoming more knowledgeable about electric drivetrains. Still, the dealer network or specialized EV service centers might be your go-to for complex issues (like diagnosing a battery fault or electronics glitch) since those require specific training and tools. Petrol cars benefit from a century of widespread service know-how, whereas EV maintenance is a newer frontier. The good news: EVs inherently need less hands-on upkeep, and many routine checks can coincide with yearly state inspections or tire changes.

Petrol Cars

Just because electric cars are more economical vs petrol cars, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the story. Just like looking at petrol vs diesel, petrol always has its benefits too and they are hard to beat because of how common they are in our lives. Petrol Car Maintenance Needs: Traditional petrol cars have more complex engines with many subsystems that require care. Regular oil and oil filter changes are a cornerstone of engine longevity – typically every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on oil type and manufacturer specs. Petrol engines also have components like spark plugs (which ignite the fuel), fuel injectors, air filters, and oxygen sensors that need periodic servicing or replacement. There’s also transmission fluid and possibly differential/transfer case fluids in conventional drivetrains, which EVs don’t have (EVs usually have a single-speed gearbox). All these fluids and wearable engine parts mean more routine services for gas cars. As a result, a petrol car will visit the service shop more often over its lifetime for scheduled maintenance items compared to an EV​

Cheaper Buying Prices

The biggest impact that the common ownership of petrol cars has is the price that comes from them. There are all kinds of vehicles out there covering all budgets too. That means you can always pick up an effecive car for your price range and meet all your needs for potentially much less than a quality electric car.

Accessible Fuelling and Maintenance

As well as it being easy to find and cheap to buy petrol vehicles, it’s also a lot easier to find the services you need to keep them running too. Although electric cars go wrong less often than petrol cars, they are also harder to find. With a petrol vehicle though, you can get work done just about anywhere, and fuel for that matter too. It can make the world of difference especially if you love somewhere off the radar.

Known and Loved

Lastly, the electric vs petrol car argument still has to take into account our feelings after all. Although society is warming to electric vehicles at a rapid rate, they are still not as popular as petrol cars. It’s hard to change habits that we know and love, and for a lot of car enthusiasts or just the average Joe, change isn’t easy.

The Winner

With all this said and done, there is no winner for which is a better choice. Electric cars are often cheaper to keep and run, but likely cost more to buy and are a little bit harder to repair when that rare case does happen. Find a car that fits your individual needs, and you can always make the switch in later life. Whatever you do, make sure you’re buying a solid, safe and sturdy vehicle that will always give you what you need from it, without the nasty surprises. Buying a used car take your time, inspect everything, and when in doubt, get a professional car inspection.

Do your homework, stay safe, and happy driving!