The difference between electric cars vs. diesel cars
There are some obvious differences between electric cars and diesel cars. For example, electric cars run on a battery-powered electric motor, whereas diesel cars run on an internal combustion engine fuelled by burning diesel.
But there are some similarities too. Diesel cars were once touted as the greener alternative to petrol, and historically diesel has at times been cheaper per litre at the pump than petrol (at the time of writing, this has yet to happen since February 2016).
So what is the difference between electric cars vs. diesel cars? Let’s look at the technologies in both and how they compare against each other.
Under The Hood
As mentioned, the powertrains of the two types of vehicles are very different. Diesel-powered cars have an internal combustion engine which burns the fuel and uses the hot, expanding gases to drive pistons, turning the chemical energy of the diesel into kinetic energy to drive the car.
Electric vehicles have a large bank of battery cells that drive an electric motor, which sends power directly to the wheels to produce forward motion. There are fewer moving parts and (in a fully electric car working correctly) zero carbon emissions.
While early electric cars were designed as urban runabouts with short ranges and limited performance, this is no longer the case. The newest electric car models offer hundreds of miles on a single charge and are capable of full motorway speeds, driven by powerful electric motors and ever-increasing battery capacities.
Manual Vs. Automatic
Diesel cars are available with manual or automatic gearboxes. Because they produce higher torque at low RPMs, diesel engines are relatively powerful in low gears. As a result, diesel vehicles offer good raw power for pulling heavy loads and other challenges.
Electric cars usually come with an automatic gearbox. This often only offers a single forward gear, a reverse gear, and park. Some EVs have a second gear for forward drive.
Because the electric motor is not affected by RPM in the same way as an internal combustion engine, there is no need to change gears, and the motor can deliver full power across the full range of speeds and acceleration.
Refuelling Vs. Recharging
Refuelling a diesel car feels more familiar for many motorists, and across most of the UK, you’re unlikely to be more than 12-15 miles from a petrol station. This increases to around 30 miles on motorways if you wait for the next service station to refuel, rather than turning off into a nearby town or village.
Electric car charging infrastructure has already snowballed and continues to do so. DfT statistics show that at the start of 2023, there were over 37,000 public charge points in the UK, a 7% increase since October 2022.
Combined with the ability to plug into a standard 3-pin electrical socket to recharge (albeit at a much slower rate) and assisted by apps that help you to locate a charging station within range,
EV infrastructure is continuing to improve month-by-month. At home charging, however, remains the main way currently to charge an electric vehicle.
Running Costs
Monthly lease costs may appear to be higher for an EV compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, especially for the top models of electric cars on the market, but long-term running costs should more than offset this. Let’s break this down into more detail:
Fuel cost
Fuel costs (both electric and diesel) are highly volatile and subject to global forces ranging from the wholesale oil market to political upheaval. In general, though, the price per mile for an EV is significantly less than for a diesel car, even considering only the fuel cost.
Maintenance and repairs
Diesel cars are subject to strict MOT rules, and will fail the test if visible exhaust emissions are detected. With more moving parts, there’s also more that can go wrong with an internal combustion engine. In contrast, a well-maintained electric car should require less servicing and maintenance
Congestion charges and ULEZ
Electric vehicles still qualify for exemptions from congestion charges and ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ), making them a cheaper option if you have to drive into central London or any equivalent zone elsewhere in the UK. This will likely change as EVs become the standard technology, but it’s still a way to save money for now.
The Future
Diesel cars have a limited future — and we know when the end begins for them, as with all internal combustion engines. The UK is due to ban the production of new ICE vehicles from 2035, which will consign diesel engines to the used car market only.
In contrast, electric vehicles are the new hope for a cleaner, greener motoring future, with no air pollution from exhaust emissions. As we move beyond 2035, electric cars will likely form the vast majority of the new car market, along with a few alternative technologies like hydrogen fuel cells.
With infrastructure growing rapidly and legislation leaning heavily in favour of electric vehicles, we are likely witnessing the final few years of diesel cars on our roads. More used diesel cars find their way onto the scrap heap, highlighting that the future is all-electric.
Electric Car Leasing
Electric car leasing is a great place to start if you’re still driving a petrol or diesel car and want to be prepared for a battery-powered future. EV leasing allows you to experience the top models of electric cars on the market, with the option to upgrade each time your lease is up for renewal.
The result is a vehicle that offers the latest technology, the fastest charging, and the widest compatibility with public charging points. You can also benefit from the furthest range and best fuel efficiency, without compromising on creature comforts like air conditioning and entertainment systems.
As we near the end of the 2020s, we’ll likely see infrastructure transition towards electric-first, with petrol and diesel pumps gradually decreasing in number and availability as the use of ICEs declines. That is why there’s never been a better time to consider ditching diesel and embracing electric.
