Petrol, Diesel, Electric or Hydrogen?

As the ever-changing automotive industry continues to evolve and new technologies seemingly emerge, the argument over which type of fuel is best for consumers rages on. From petrol and diesel to electric and hydrogen, each type of fuel has its own unique set of pros and cons. In this article, we’ll have a gander into the strengths and weaknesses of each fuel type. So, petrol, diesel, electric or hydrogen?

Petrol Cars: Pros and Cons

Let’s start with the classic internal combustion engine powered by petrol. One of the biggest advantages of petrol cars is their affordability, as they are often cheaper to purchase and maintain than their electric or hydrogen counterparts. They also provide a better driving experience, with the scream of a rotary engine, or the thunderous noise from a big ol’ V8 and the smell of burning dinosaurs appealing to many of us.

However, petrol cars are not perfect. They typically have worse economic ratings and as such, you’ll be funneling more fuel into more often. Particularly with smaller engines, the lack of real world power and torque can put many people off.

Diesel Cars: Pros and Cons

Diesel cars are the other type of internal combustion engine vehicle that has been extremely popular for many years, especially for commercial vehicles. They are often more fuel efficient than petrols and thus, can deliver better economic performance. Diesel cars are also known for their durability, making them a popular choice for drivers who want a vehicle that will last, even if they do require more maintenance.

However, diesel cars also have their share of downsides. They emit even more pollutants than petrol cars and have been linked to health problems such as respiratory issues – hence the abhorrent tax they have in city centres. Whilst reliable, they also require regular maintenance and can be more expensive to repair to keep them running. Particularly with modern diesels, the DPF (diesel particulate filter) can clog up if only used for short journeys. This can cause a number of issues with the car when it doesn’t get a chance to ‘regenerate’.

Electric Cars: Pros and Cons

Now, let’s move on to electric cars. These vehicles run solely on electric power (obviously) and produce zero emissions, making them a much more environmentally friendly option at face value. They also require less maintenance than traditional petrol or diesel cars and can save drivers money on running costs.

However, electric cars have a few drawbacks as well. They typically have a much higher purchase price than petrol or diesel cars and require charging infrastructure to be installed at your house. Additionally, their range can be somewhat limited, making them less practical for long road trips. You’ll typically find this from the legacy manufacturers who have just started to produce EVs, cars with only 120 or so miles like the Fiat 500e and Mini Electric are pretty useless for company reps.

Hydrogen Cars: Pros and Cons

Finally, let’s discuss hydrogen cars. These vehicles run on hydrogen fuel cells and emit only good old H20, making them the cleanest option of all. They are also extremely quiet and can deliver a smooth driving experience similar to electric. There refill times are also similar to a petrol or diesel car making them more practical.

However, hydrogen cars are still in the early stages of development and are not yet widely available. They also require hydrogen refueling infrastructure to be built out, which can be a significant barrier to adoption as there are currently only 5 stations in the whole of the UK. Additionally, they can be quite expensive to purchase and maintain. With it being a very new technology, the reliability is unproven on a mass-market scale.

So, which type of fuel is best?

The answer, as with most things in life, is that it depends on you as a person and what you require. Each type of fuel has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and unfortunately, it’s up to you to decide which factors are the most important to you.

For those in the countryside, diesel seems to remain king (due to the towing and haulage ability), electric is winning in cities and petrol has always remained a constant. You could also opt for a hybrid, just to throw a spanner in the works.