The prejudice that an electric car is more expensive than a combustion engine is in in many cases incorrectly. On the one hand, this is due to the high government purchase premiums. On the other hand, rising prices for petrol and diesel are also having an impact. While Stromer are often still above their combustion counterparts despite bonuses in the purchase price, electric cars are often cheaper in terms of running costs.
ADAC: Model 3 significantly cheaper than BMW 3 series
That was the result of an ADAC analysis for Der Spiegel. To do this, the experts at the ADAC technology center in Landsberg compared a 3-series BMW with a Model 3 from Tesla. Here the electric car scores with both a significantly lower purchase price and lower running costs. According to ADAC, the cost calculation included fuel and electricity consumption as well as fixed costs such as taxes and insurance as well as operating costs (oil, car washing) or workshop and tire costs.
In another VW-internal comparison between the electric car ID 3 and a VW Golf TDI the difference is less. With an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers, the difference per kilometer driven is only a few cents. Calculated over the year, Stromer drivers can still expect savings of 600 euros inside. According to the analysis, however, the e-versions of the compact SUV Hyundai Kona or the electric Renault Zoe were more expensive than their combustion counterparts compared to the gasoline-powered Clio.
Trend towards cheaper electric cars continues
Overall, however, it can be said that the trend will continue in the years to come. According to the auto expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer from the Center Automotive Research in Duisburg, all-electric cars from important car manufacturers will be “cheaper than equivalent combustion engines in five years at the latest”. In addition, the cost improvements in combustion engines have arisen over 100 years of further development. “This effect is only just beginning with fully electric cars”, quotes Spiegel Dudenhöffer.
