Today’s advancement in transport has brought many variations especially in the three-wheeled transport. Although electric three-wheelers are becoming popular because of their environmentally friendly nature, there are still many petrol vehicles in the market. When you are an individual or a business person in need of a 3 wheeler, you might be confused between the two. Thus in this article, we will try to give you the Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles advantages and disadvantages to make it easier for you to decide.
About Electric and Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles
Before proceeding to the comparison let me make sure that people know what exactly differentiates electric and petrol 3-wheeler vehicles.
- Electric 3 Wheeler Vehicles: These are vehicles that are operated by electricity as their source of power being contained in rechargeable batteries. They are environmentally friendly and emit no gases making it favored by the majority of people with concerns of environmental pollution. These automobiles use battery electrical power and a rechargeable battery to force the tires, making them more comfortable and less noisy.
- Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles: Petrol-powered three-wheelers run through ICE which is an internal combustion engine that needs petrol as fuel. They have been in use in many countries for years and now they are under pressure because of their higher emission and their reliance on fossil fuels.
Now that we know the basics, it is time to see the difference between these two types of vehicles in terms of factors that have a bearing on the purchase decision.
Cost Comparison: Comparison between Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles
The basic aspects to consider in trying to differentiate between “Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles” are the costs of acquisition and the costs of operations in the long run.
- Electric 3 Wheelers: At first, an electric 3-wheeler will be expensive because batteries and electric motor technology are costly, but the overall expenses will be much lower. EVs have some or relatively low number of parts to move compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, thus have low maintenance costs. Also, charging an electric car is cheaper than refueling a car that uses petrol as a source of energy. Government incentives and subsidies also reduce the cost of adopting the BEV technology in electric three-wheelers in the long run.
- Petrol 3 Wheelers: While most three-wheelers use petrol for their operations, new models of three-wheelers which are electrically powered are slightly more expensive than their petrol-powered counterparts in terms of initial acquisition cost. But with the running costs, they are much higher. Petrol prices differ and the costs when using fuel can be very expensive especially for firms that use these vehicles frequently. Moreover, the maintenance of petrol cars is comparatively more frequent than the electric car both in terms of oil change and requisite engine amendments resulting in huge expenditure.
Environmental Impact: Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles
Another factor worth looking at is the effects of the two categories of cars on the environment.
- Electric 3 Wheelers: Electric cars emit much less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than cars that use petrol. Unlike vehicles that produce some amount of emissions, cars that operate using electricity emit no gases hence the reduction of emission of gases in the air. This is particularly important for the urban places where air pollution is rapidly becoming a major issue of concern. However, as the grid gets more electrified with more renewable energy sources, the environmental impact of electric 3-wheelers will only get better.
- Petrol 3 Wheelers: Petrol vehicles, on the other hand, cause emissions of toxic gases including CO2, NOx and PM. These emissions cause global warming and air pollution as well as respiratory diseases and thus are not suitable to the environment. Due to the efforts of city and governments to find cleaner sources of energy, petrol vehicles are gradually being replaced with electric vehicles.
Performance: The comparison between the eElectric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles.
With regard to performance, electric as well as the petrol 3-wheelers provide certain benefits.
- Electric 3 Wheelers: They provide an instant torque which makes for a smooth, comfortable ride and surprisingly electric cars are almost as noisy as a lawnmower. They are ideal for use in short range transport, city run, and first and last mile mobility. The top speed and range of the electric three-wheelers may be different from one model to another but fully capable of serving daily needs of mobility. Depending on the degree of urban traffic, battery range is sufficient, but if the distances are greater, it may take longer to recharge.
- Petrol 3 Wheelers: Conventional automobiles are favored for their speed and range because petrol is used to fuel them. Climbing vehicles are also ideal for long distance travel and rough tasks such as transporting goods. Nonetheless, the fuel can be consumed quite often, and the vehicles running on petrol are noisier and vibrate more than electric cars.
Maintenance and Durability: Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles
- Electric 3 Wheelers: The electric three wheelers have fewer parts to move compared to the gas three wheelers, thus they have a longer lifespan. This means that there will be reduced maintenance costs and little or no breakdowns. The most common maintenance required for electric vehicles is the battery, the motor and electrical system. Electrics vehicles are also known to be longer lasting hence more reliable in the long run.
- Petrol 3 Wheelers: This is because petrol cars need to be serviced frequently for instance oil change, air filter, and a repair of the exhaust system. These additional maintenance requirements often result in increased overhaul prices and more time off-line.
Infrastructure: Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles
- Electric 3 Wheelers: The problem of electric vehicles is that there are not many places where one can recharge their car. But even in India where the charging infrastructure is quickly growing, it may not be as common as the petrol stations particularly in rural areas. But since they can be charged at home, electric 3-wheelers are also quite feasible for anyone.
- Petrol 3 Wheelers: The vehicles that rely on petrol are more advantageous because there are petrol stations all over the place. This makes them more beneficial for use in long journeys or regions where charging points are few and far between.
Which One Is Right for You?
Deciding to go for Electric vs Petrol 3 Wheeler Vehicles depends on some factors like. If you want an environment-friendly, cheap, and easily maintainable vehicle for short traveling, then an electric 3-wheeler is perfect for you. However if you have to travel long distances or need more power for loading or other purposes then a petrol 3-wheeler is a better bet.
Finally, the shift from traditional and less sustainable solutions to electric three-wheelers will make them the cars of the future, with many advantages in such major considerations as cost, efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
The vision of Zero21 Autos therefore is to deliver quality electric three-wheelers for all mobility solutions without harming the environment.