The question of the durability of cars has become a key topic with the advent of electric vehicles. A recent study by British scientists from the University of Birmingham sheds new light on this issue by comparing the average life cycle of petrol, diesel and electric cars. The results, based on an analysis of nearly 30 million cars in the UK, are quite surprising.
Life expectancy: The years and the kilometres
According to the study, electric cars have an average life expectancy of 18.4 years, which is longer than diesel cars (16.8 years). However, petrol cars are the champions with an average lifespan of 18.7 years.
When it comes to mileage, the picture changes. Diesel cars cover the most kilometres, an average of 257,000 km. They are followed by electric cars, which reach 200,000 km, while petrol cars lag behind by 187,000 km. This means that despite their longer lifespan, petrol cars cover less distance compared to diesel and electric cars.
Risk of breakdowns and maintenance costs
One of the most significant conclusions of the study is that electric cars are significantly more reliable. The risk of serious damage is half that of gasoline cars and six times lower than diesel cars.
These data are also supported by studies in the United States, where the cost of maintaining an electric car is about $0.06 per mile, while for cars with internal combustion engines this amount is $0.10 per mile. The difference is significant and shows that despite their higher initial cost, electric cars can be cheaper to maintain in the long term.
However, electric cars are not ideal
Despite the positive results, scientists emphasize that electric cars are not a perfect solution. They are still inefficient for long trips due to the need to charge and limited infrastructure. In urban conditions, the use of public transport or bicycles is recommended as a more environmentally friendly and efficient alternative.
However, expert Robert Elliot is optimistic. According to him, electric vehicle technology is developing extremely rapidly and future models will offer even greater durability and reliability. This study provides valuable facts that help consumers make more informed decisions when choosing their next car.