| Advantage |
Electric vehicle |
Internal combustion engine vehicle |
| Powertrain efficiency |
Electric vehicles are powered by electric motors and single speed gearboxes which, depending on the operating point (speed and torque), have an overall efficiency between 75 … 95 %. This means that, for the same amount of power at the wheel, less energy is used from the high voltage battery compared with an internal combustion engine vehicle |
The typical efficiency of an internal combustion engine is between 18 … 24 %. Diesel engine have slightly higher efficiency than gasoline engine but overall, internal combustion engines are 4 times less efficient than electric motors. Compared with an electric motor, for the same amount of wheel power, an internal combustion engine has to consume 4 times more energy |
| Vehicle acceleration |
A permanent magnet synchronous electric motor has an ideal traction characteristic. Also, at zero speed, the electric motor can deliver the maximum available torque which translates in very good launch capabilities of the vehicle |
An internal combustion engine cannot deliver maximum torque from minimum speed (idle). They also need more time to reach maximum torque because of engine dynamics (air and mechanical inertia, turbo-lag, etc.) |
| Reliability |
Having fewer moving parts, compared with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor has fewer sources of possible failures. Also, due to the high torque and high-speed characteristic of the electric motor, there is no need for a multi-stage gearbox, a single-step mechanical gearbox is enough for propulsion |
The internal combustion engine has many moving parts and also additional systems (fuel system, air induction system, exhaust gas after-treatment system, etc.) which can lead to possible failures. Due to the torque characteristic of the ICE, the vehicle requires a multi-step gearbox, which can also be a source of possible failures |
| Torque vectoring |
For an all-wheel drive electric vehicle, stability during cornering can be improved by controlling the torque at the wheels. Compared to the internal combustion engine, an electric motor has faster torque response and can also provide negative torque, which could prove essential in the stability of the vehicle |
The internal combustion engine has limited contribution to the vehicle stability, most of the times, the electronic stability control system (ESC) it’s only reducing the amount of torque delivered by the engine |
| Total cost of ownership |
Having fewer moving parts and components an electric vehicle is easier and cheaper to maintain. Also, the price of electric energy, in most of the countries, is less than fuel (petrol/gasoline or diesel). Moreover, since electric vehicles can perform regenerative braking, the main braking system of the vehicle has a lower usage factor which translates in longer service life |
In order to preserve a good operating condition, internal combustion engines need regular maintenance (service) intervals for air filters, fuel filters replacement, spark plugs, oil change, etc.). For this reason, a vehicle with internal combustion vehicle is more expensive to maintain compared with an electric vehicle |
| CO2 and exhaust gas emissions |
Since there is no internal combustion engine present, electric vehicles have zero exhaust gas emission. Also, depending on the source of the electric energy (e.g., renewable) the overall CO2 impact of an electric vehicle is smaller compared with a internal combustion engine vehicle |
Internal combustion engine vehicles are subject to legislative exhaust gas emission limits. Also, in some urban areas, they are forbidden to be driven. The general trend is to ban even further internal combustion engine vehicles in the highly densely populated urban areas |