What are the differences between electric vehicles and fuel-powered vehicles?

[LaIsabelle]

Differences between electric vehicles and fuel-powered vehicles: 1. Different power systems. Fuel-powered vehicles use petroleum products as energy sources, generating power by combustion in internal combustion engines and controlling drive through transmissions; while electric vehicles use batteries as energy sources, driven by electric motors and speed-controlled by regulators. 2. Different instrument types. Most electric vehicles are air-cooled, so they don't have water temperature gauges. Instead of a tachometer, there is an ammeter showing instantaneous current; instead of a fuel gauge, there is a voltmeter displaying battery voltage. 3. Different costs. Electric vehicles that meet technical requirements such as range are eligible for both national and local subsidies, as well as exemptions from vehicle purchase taxes and priority license plate allocation; the energy cost of fuel-powered vehicles is about 5 times that of electric vehicles.

[JanelleLynn]

I used to drive a gasoline car to work, but now I've switched to an electric vehicle. The most noticeable difference is the instant acceleration and the absence of noise. While gasoline cars roar with engine sounds, EVs are as quiet and smooth as riding a skateboard. Queuing at gas stations is a thing of the past—now I just plug in at home, and my monthly electricity bill is less than a third of what I used to spend on fuel. However, long trips require planning charging stops in advance, which isn’t as convenient as the 'go anytime' flexibility of gasoline cars. Maintenance is also quite different; EVs don’t need oil or filter changes, just tire and brake checks, saving a lot on upkeep costs. Storage space is another advantage—the engine bay is replaced with a frunk, adding room for two extra suitcases.

[StephanieRose]

From a structural design perspective, traditional fuel-powered vehicles rely on internal combustion engines and consume gasoline or diesel. Electric vehicles (EVs) completely eliminate the need for exhaust pipes, as they are solely powered by batteries driving electric motors. This leads to two fundamental differences: First, energy conversion efficiency is significantly higher—while 80% of energy in fuel-powered vehicles is wasted as heat, EVs utilize 90% of their energy to directly drive the wheels. Second, emissions are entirely different. Driving an EV means no tailpipe, hence zero tailpipe pollution, resulting in noticeable improvements in urban air quality. However, battery lifespan requires attention, especially in winter when range drops significantly. Using heated seats consumes far less electricity than running the cabin heater.

[StAngelo]

The cost difference in vehicle ownership is quite significant. I've done the math: buying a domestic electric vehicle (EV) is about 30% more expensive than a comparable gasoline-powered car, but with government subsidies and exemption from purchase tax, the actual out-of-pocket cost is similar. The real gap emerges in daily expenses. For urban commuting, electricity costs just 0.2 yuan per kilometer, while fuel costs at least 0.7 yuan per kilometer. Maintenance costs show an even wider disparity. EVs don't have transmissions and don't require oil changes – the first maintenance is just a check of the electrical system, costing a few hundred yuan. In contrast, gasoline cars need 500-600 yuan oil changes every 5,000 kilometers, plus several hundred more for carbon deposit cleaning. However, gasoline cars currently have higher resale value in the used car market.

[StMalachi]

With ten years of experience driving taxis, the differences between the two types of vehicles mainly lie in usage habits. Fuel-powered cars are suitable for long-distance trips, as refueling takes five minutes to cover 500 kilometers. Electric vehicles require planning for charging time, with fast charging taking half an hour to cover 300 kilometers. The power response is completely different; fuel-powered cars have a half-second delay when pressing the accelerator, while electric vehicles instantly deliver maximum torque, making overtaking particularly exhilarating. In terms of interior space layout, electric vehicles have a flat chassis with no hump in the rear, allowing the person sitting in the middle to stretch their legs. Regarding maintenance, if the three-electric system of an electric vehicle has issues, it can only be repaired at a 4S shop, as most roadside repair shops are unable to fix them.