Taking the gas guesswork out.

We love our acronyms and it’s no different when it comes to automobiles. One of the latest you would have come across is EV, which is short for electric vehicle. In recent times, there have been more conscious efforts to promote EV over the traditional ICE (or internal combustion engine) vehicles in the drive for greater sustainability.

Externally, an EV and ICE car can look very similar. To ease the transition to EVs, many carmakers have been producing electric cars that look like their petrol counterparts.

But there are major differences between the two. Understanding these differences between EVs and ICE cars is useful if you are considering making a switch to electrification.

Engine vs Electric motor

The most significant difference between ICE and electric cars is the power source.

ICE has been around since the latter half of the 1800s and used as the main power supply for motor vehicles. It is so named because petrol or diesel is ignited and burned (combusted) in the engine which is then converted into energy. This fuel and air mixture is subsequently emitted as exhaust. The emissions contain harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.

A little-known fact is that the first electric cars were developed around the same time but have not taken off until recently. An EV is powered by a battery that stores electrical energy and drives an electric motor. Hence, EVs are considered cleaner as they produce zero tailpipe emissions.

Parts and components

Typically, an ICE car contains around 2,000 moving parts. The engine, transmission and driveshaft make up the key components of its drivetrain. But there are many other parts including spark plugs, alternators, catalytic converters, and the exhaust system that are needed to make it functional.

An EV has only around 20 moving parts. Its five essential components are the battery, electric motor, reducer, on board charger and Electric Power Control Unit.

Maintenance

Which brings us around to the question of maintenance.

With so many moving parts, ICE cars need more on-going maintenance such as routine oil changes and engine tune-ups. Should any of these parts break down, the repair costs can quickly add up.

Comparatively, it is less costly and time-consuming when it comes to maintaining an EV. It is seen as more reliable than its ICE counterpart as fewer moving parts means less wear and tear.

Space

Without having to cater for the engine, petrol tank, fuel pump, oil sump and pump, exhaust, catalytic converter, and other ICE components, car makers have more room to play with when it comes to the design of an EV. Most EVs have a flat battery built into the floor, and this allows for the cabin space to be optimised.

This also lowers the EV’s centre of gravity. EVs are generally heavier than petrol-powered vehicles because of the weight of the batteries. Some drivers would prefer a heavier car for occupant safety in the event of a collision.

Range

The range of an ICE car is limited by the amount of fuel it can carry, while that of an EV is limited by the size of its battery. While it is now possible to buy an EV with a range of over 60okm today, most would average between 200km and 400km. The range from an ICE vehicle is thus usually greater than most EVs out there.

In recent years however, it has been demonstrated that owners may not need long ranges for their daily urban commute. In Singapore for example, the average motorist clocks in around 55km per day, so most EVs will offer more than enough range.

>>READ: Get the most range out of your electric vehicle

Drive experience

EVs are known for being extremely quick off the line. They do not need gearboxes and torque is delivered all at once, any time the driver presses the accelerator pedal. However, their top speeds may be limited by the RPM (revolutions per minute) of the electric motor.

ICE vehicles, on the other hand, need to build up power delivery from a combination of gearing and the RPM of the engine, which is why they are slower.

The driving experience of an EV and an ICE car also differs. While an EV offer a smoother and quieter ride, some drivers still prefer the revs and roar of an engine. Car enthusiasts cite a lack of driving feeling and connection with the car when driving EVs.

Pump vs Plug

Refueling an ICE car involves stopping at a petrol station and pumping fuel into the tank.

To recharge an EV, you plug it into an electrical outlet or charging station. These can be installed at home, at a petrol station or in places such as shopping malls and public car parks.

Operators such as Shell Recharge, SP Group and Charge+ have EV charging stations located at petrol stations, public carparks and malls across the island. There is also a push by the Singapore government to roll out at least 12,000 charging points in 2,000 HDB carparks by 2025. This target goes up to 60,000 charging points across the island by 2030.

Eventually, EV charging would become more flexible than refuelling petrol or diesel vehicles – where the only choice is using a refuelling station. It will also be cheaper, especially with escalating oil prices.

The speed of refuelling is another difference. While it takes only a few minutes to fill the tank with petrol or diesel, charging an EV can take several hours. The time to recharge your EV will vary depending on the type and speed of chargers available at the charging stations, as well as the power output of your EV onboard charger. However, with the introduction of rapid chargers, charging rates are improving all the time. There are already EVs which boast a 20-80% charge in 30 minutes or less.

Costs

The upfront cost of EVs can be higher than that of ICE cars. But lower operating costs, such as cheaper electricity compared to petrol prices, as well as reduced maintenance costs, can offset the initial purchase price and make EVs more cost-effective in the long run.

>>READ: How much do you know about electric vehicles (Quiz)

Making a difference in the long run

ICE cars still form the majority of the new automobiles being sold today. However, EVs are on an ever-growing list and more car makers are adopting an EV-only approach.

Many governments are also moving towards banning the sale of new ICE vehicles. For example, Singapore will only permit the registrations of EVs from 2030, paving the way for ICE cars to be phased out eventually.

Finally, although the quiet drive experience may feel unfamiliar initially, EV owners often love their new mode of transport. Most would not go back to internal combustion engines vehicles.

With the road cleared for greater EV adoption, electric cars are worth considering for your next vehicle purchase.