Electric vs Gas: Which one saves you more this holiday season?

It’s that time of the year again when everyone’s rushing to get things done before the holidays. The traffic builds up, fuel prices go higher, and cars stay stuck on the road for hours. 

If you’ve ever wondered whether a gas or electric car saves you more, now’s the perfect time to compare. Here are three reasons why electric vehicles might be the better option for the holidays.

Gas-powered cars still have the edge in quick refueling. Filling up a full tank takes only about 5 minutes, and a full tank can usually give you around 500 to 600 km of driving range depending on the engine. Gas engines also tend to feel more powerful on highways, especially with turbo engines giving that extra push at higher speeds.

But gas engines aren’t very efficient. On average, only about 25 percent of the fuel actually powers the car, with the rest lost to heat. That means you’re spending more money on fuel that doesn’t fully convert to motion. If you’re driving daily this holiday season, that wasted fuel adds up quickly.

Electric vehicles (EVs), on the other hand, are more energy-efficient. Over 85 percent of the battery’s power goes straight to moving the car, so less energy is wasted. Many EVs today also offer instant torque, which means they can accelerate quickly even without a large engine. Even small EVs feel responsive in city driving.

While charging takes longer than filling gas, many EVs today can now run 400 to 600 km on a single full charge. If you charge overnight at home or at malls while shopping, you won’t even notice the wait. For daily drives and regular errands, EV range is more than enough.

In traffic, gas engines continue to run even when you’re not moving. This means they keep burning fuel while waiting at stoplights or crawling through traffic jams. Holiday traffic can cut your fuel efficiency in half, especially with A/C running non-stop, which makes city driving in a gas car more expensive during peak seasons. You’re using more fuel without actually covering much distance. Over time, that means more refills, more costs, and more time spent at gas stations during an already hectic season.

EVs don’t use energy when idle. At a stoplight or in heavy traffic, the motor pauses and saves power. This makes them perfect for the stop-and-go conditions common during the holidays. In fact, EVs perform better in slow traffic because regenerative braking helps charge the battery every time you slow down or stop.

So instead of wasting energy like gas cars do, EVs actually become more efficient in traffic. That means fewer charging stops, less stress watching your battery, and more peace of mind when you’re stuck in a long line of cars headed to the mall or your next family gathering.

Gas engines are made up of many moving parts. You have to deal with oil changes, spark plug replacements, timing belts, filters, and fluids. The more you drive, the more often you’ll need to maintain it, especially if you’ve just come from long trips or heavy city traffic.

On the contrary, EVs have fewer parts to worry about. There’s no engine oil, spark plugs, or transmission fluids. Most EVs only need basic checks like tire rotation, brake pads, and battery health monitoring. And because regenerative braking slows down brake wear, even those last longer.

Over time, EV owners usually spend much less on maintenance. Plus, many EV brands offer battery warranties that last 8 to 10 years, so you’re covered for longer. Fewer visits to the shop means more time enjoying the season, and fewer surprise expenses.

Electric vehicles. While gas cars still work well for long-distance drives and quick refueling, EVs are clearly the better choice for daily traffic, short trips, and budget-saving maintenance.  you’re planning to switch, now’s the best time. Browse electric cars on AutoDeal.com.ph today.