Electric cars vs. gasoline cars: Charging/refueling time and cost comparison

1. Comparison of Charging/Refueling Time

1. Fuel vehicles

• Refueling time :
  It usually takes only 3 to 5 minutes to fill up the tank (including waiting and payment time).
• Battery life :
  A full tank of gas can provide a range of 500 to 800 kilometers.

2. Electric Vehicles

• There are three charging methods:

  • General household socket (slow charging/Level 1) :
    A full charge may take 8 to 20 hours (range increases by about 10 to 20 kilometers per hour).
  • Dedicated AC charging station (fast charging/Level 2) :
    It takes about 4 to 8 hours to fully charge (the range increases by about 40 to 60 kilometers per hour).
  • DC fast charging (Level 3/super charging) :
    It can be charged to 80% in 30 minutes (depending on the model and charging station, it can replenish 100 to 300 kilometers of range in as fast as 10 to 30 minutes).

• Battery life :
  Depending on the model, mainstream models on the market can travel about 300 to 600 kilometers on a full charge.

Comparison points:

• Gasoline trucks can be refueled quickly and at any time, making them suitable for long-distance and temporary needs.
• Electric vehicles take a long time to charge, but slow charging at home can be used at night or after get off work, without the need to make a special trip to a gas station.

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2. Comparison of usage costs

1. Fuel vehicles

• Fuel costs :
  Taking Taiwan/Hong Kong as an example, the average gas price is about HK$25-30/NT$30-35 per liter;
  Generally, a 1.8L family car consumes about 12 to 15 kilometers per liter of fuel.
• Fuel cost per kilometer (based on a fuel price of $30 and a fuel consumption of 1L/15km):
  $30 ÷ 15 = $2 per kilometer
• Maintenance costs :
  The engine, gearbox, oil, spark plugs, etc. require regular maintenance, and the maintenance costs are high.

2. Electric Vehicles

• Electricity cost :
  Based on the household electricity price of $3/kWh in Taiwan and about $1.2/kWh in Hong Kong,
  An electric car can travel about 6 to 8 kilometers per kilowatt-hour (depending on the model and driving habits).
• Electricity cost per kilometer (calculated at $3/kWh, 7 km/kWh):
  $3 ÷ 7 = $0.43 per kilometer
• Maintenance costs :
  The parts are simple, there is no engine/transmission, no oil, and you only need to check the battery, tires, brake pads, etc. The maintenance cost is significantly lower.

Fast charging fee at charging station

• The cost of public fast-charging stations is higher than that of household electricity, about $6 to $10 (Taiwan dollars) per kilowatt-hour, but it is still cheaper than gasoline vehicles.

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3. Overall comparison table

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IV. Other influencing factors

• Popularity of charging piles : Whether cities and communities have home charging piles will greatly affect the convenience of using cars.
• Distribution of fast charging stations : Fast charging stations on highways and in suburbs are still under construction, so long-distance travel needs to be planned in advance.
• Battery life and replacement costs : Electric vehicles need to consider battery degradation and future replacement costs (most car manufacturers provide an 8-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty).

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Conclusion and Recommendations

• For those who often travel long distances/use the car temporarily : gasoline cars still have obvious advantages.
• Daily commuting/short distances for home use : Electric cars are economical and quiet, and it is more convenient to have a charging station at home.
• Overall vehicle maintenance costs : Electric vehicles have low daily electricity and maintenance costs, and the long-term savings can subsidize the difference in vehicle price.

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Tips :
As battery technology advances and the construction of fast-charging stations accelerates, the convenience and cost advantages of electric vehicles will become more and more obvious. Which model to choose depends on your lifestyle and car needs!