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When is an electric car a worthwhile option?

19.11.2024

Some people swear by them and would never go back, others are more sceptical and the rest are in two minds – find out whether switching to an electric car makes sense for you and learn more about the pros and cons.

At a glance

  • It is not electric cars or cars with combustion engines that are popular, but rather hybrid vehicles. In the long term, however, it is safe to assume that more purely electric cars will come onto the market and also that prices will fall.
  • Many people are put off by the high price of electric cars. However, it is worth comparing total costs, as electric cars are generally cheaper over their useful life thanks to the lower operating costs.
  • Your personal needs and situation are the decisive factors when deciding whether to buy an electric car.

Electromobility has surged in recent years, with hybrid vehicles now leading in Switzerland, while sales of fully electric cars have stagnated slightly. Despite challenges such as the expansion of the charging network and car manufacturers switching to new technologies, alternative drive systems are becoming increasingly important. But the question remains: Is an electric car really worth it, and if so, when?

What drive solutions are available?

To answer the question of when an electric car becomes worthwhile, let’s start by taking a look at the various drive solutions that are currently available.

  • An internal combustion engine works by igniting a mixture of fuel and air in the cylinder, creating an explosion that moves the piston and generates mechanical energy. A distinction is made between petrol and diesel engines, which work slightly differently.

    Internal combustion engines still account for a large proportion of newly registered vehicles. This is likely due to their long range and lack of dependence on charging stations. The international petrol station network is very dense, so you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to refuel.

    However, their high CO2 emissions are a serious disadvantage. Car manufacturers are slowly but surely transitioning to more ecological drive solutions. It is likely that the sale of conventional cars will be more strictly regulated or banned altogether in the near future in order to achieve climate targets.

  • Cars with hybrid drive have two engines: a combustion engine and an electric motor. Plug-in hybrids have a power connection and can be charged at charging stations.

    Hybrid electric vehicles are not charged at charging stations. Instead, their batteries are charged by recovered braking energy and from the combustion engine. The main advantage of hybrid vehicles is their efficiency. Compared to conventional vehicles, they require much less fuel and their CO2 emissions are correspondingly lower.

    Compared to electric cars, a hybrid vehicle is less dependent on charging stations. The disadvantages of hybrid cars are the high purchase costs, the more complex technology and the high weight of the vehicles. 

  • Electric motors convert electrical power into mechanical power. To do this, an electric motor requires electricity, which is supplied by a battery. One of the advantages of electric cars is that they are environmentally friendly because electric motors do not emit any exhaust fumes. They are also quiet and the running costs for maintenance and insurance are low.

    Some of the disadvantages of electric motors are dependence on the charging infrastructure, high acquisition costs and energy-intensive production of batteries using rare raw materials.

  • A fuel cell car uses hydrogen for propulsion. As with an electric car, no exhaust gases are emitted. However, the sustainability of a fuel cell drive depends on the energy used for the complex production of hydrogen. Currently, only a few hydrogen cars are available on the market, and refuelling stations are few and far between.

    Fuel cell vehicles will need both technological advancements and infrastructure investment to become widely established. Thanks to their long service life, high energy efficiency and low carbon footprint, they have the potential to significantly contribute to decarbonization.

When is an electric car a worthwhile option?

Most car manufacturers have now launched fully electric models onto the market. Sales figures fluctuate, but in the long term, it is likely that combustion engines will be replaced gradually. When and whether it makes sense to buy an electric car depends on individual factors such as:

Purchase price

While the initial purchase price of electric cars remains higher, this drawback is balanced out over time by reduced operating and maintenance expenses. Depending on factors such as driving habits, selected model, and available subsidies, an electric car can become financially advantageous in just a few years.

Furthermore, there are multiple options in the “small cars”, “family cars”, and “luxury cars” categories that are only slightly more expensive than combustion engine models. In the long term, electric cars are the more cost-effective option in most cases. 

Operating costs

As a rule, you will spend less on energy and service costs when you buy an electric car. They have fewer moving parts than combustion engines and maintenance intervals are less frequent. This reduces service costs. As a rule of thumb, an electric car needs to be serviced once a year. Most workshops are authorized to carry out standard maintenance work. If in doubt, manufacturers can recommend an approved garage.

Despite the rising price of electricity, the energy costs for an electric car are lower, at six francs per 100 kilometres compared to 15 francs for combustion engines. If you charge your vehicle with energy from your own photovoltaic system, you may be able to save even more money.

Range and charging infrastructure

The range varies from model to model and ranges from 200 to 600 kilometres. This means that short everyday journeys or quick trips are possible without any issues. For longer journeys, fast charging stations are available, which charge batteries up to 80 percent in just 10-30 minutes.

The network of public fast charging stations and the commercial and private charging infrastructure is becoming denser. Nevertheless, this is a potential barrier when making a purchase. Tenants in rented accommodation are unable to make the necessary decisions. Convenient access to charging stations is therefore not available to everyone, especially in more rural areas with fewer public charging points.

Environmental aspects

Studies show that electric cars produce fewer CO2 emissions over their entire life cycle compared to cars with combustion engines. Most of the emissions are generated during manufacturing. Batteries are often criticised in this context. On the one hand, the extraction of the raw materials lithium and cobalt can result in ecological and social problems. On the other hand, many fear that batteries will not last long enough.

Despite this, research into new types of batteries is progressing, and it is currently possible to recover 90 percent of the raw materials used in car batteries. Moreover, numerous car manufacturers provide multi-year warranties for their batteries, and battery performance averages more than 70 percent even after the warranty period. If you’re planning to buy a new car, an electric vehicle is theoretically the greener option right from the first kilometre. But the longer the car is in use, the better. 

Making your decision – which car best suits your needs?

If you’re planning to buy a new car soon, the first thing to do is to consider your personal needs and requirements. These are good indicators of the most suitable drive system for your new car.

Your driving habits

Do you primarily use your car for short trips, or do you frequently drive long distances with limited access to charging stations? The public charging network is constantly being expanded and the range of electric cars is increasing. However, full access to the charging infrastructure is not yet a reality for everyone. If you still wish to move beyond combustion engines, hybrid cars can be a viable alternative, offering much greater energy efficiency than diesel or petrol vehicles.

Charging options

Are you able to charge your electric car easily and conveniently in your everyday life? For homeowners, installing a charging station requires an investment but the process is fairly straightforward. You could even install solar panels and use your own solar power for charging. Tenants find things more difficult because they are dependent on the willingness of the property owner or management.

The good news is that many employers are investing in e-charging car parks and public charging stations are becoming increasingly convenient and widespread. You should still think carefully about how time-intensive the charging may be for you and how much effort you’re willing to invest.

Correct charging protects the vehicle battery

To maximize the performance and service life of the battery, there are a few tricks that you can employ when charging:

  1. If possible, ensure that the battery level is always between 20 and 80 percent, as regular full charges and complete discharges can strain the battery.
  2. If the electric car is left standing for longer periods, it should ideally be at a battery level of 30 to 70 percent.
  3. Extreme temperatures should be avoided wherever possible.

State subsidies and tax benefits

Switzerland does not offer nationwide subsidies for electric cars. There are many ways of saving money. For example, through cantonal subsidy programmes or reduced motor vehicle taxes. Find out what options your canton, municipality or city offers and which cars are eligible. 

Time horizon and urgency

When do you need a new car at the latest? In addition to the factors mentioned above, time also plays a role in your decision. If your current vehicle meets your needs, could you hold off on purchasing a new one?

Electric and hybrid cars are constantly being further developed and new models are being launched all the time. Given that the public and private charging network is expected to expand over the next few years, it might be wise to wait a bit longer and save your money. As already mentioned, the purchase costs of electric cars are still relatively high – at least for the time being.

“Total cost of ownership”

Cost is one of the main factors, along with personal requirements and circumstances. To compare the prices of electric, hybrid, and combustion vehicles as objectively as possible, it is essential to consider the “total cost of ownership”. To do this, first define the basis for your calculations with the following questions:

  • How long do I want to keep the car?
  • How many kilometres do I drive each year?
  • What is the average cost of electricity and/or fuel?

Based on the answers, you can calculate four cost blocks for your situation per vehicle type. You can then compare these cost blocks with each other:

  1. What is the loss in value if you plan to sell the vehicle after the specified date?
  2. How much are the fixed costs for taxes and insurance?
  3. How much are the operating costs for fuel and/or electricity tailored to your personal situation?
  4. Workshop costs for maintenance, repairs, wear and tear, tyres?

A specific comparison including percentage savings.

Summary

Given their environmental impact and political efforts to protect the climate, it’s likely that combustion engines will need to be replaced by emission-free alternatives in the medium term. The EU has already decided to ban the sale of new cars with petrol or diesel engines from 2035. In Switzerland, the ban is under discussion, but does not yet apply.

It is widely anticipated that the price of electric cars will continue to drop in the years ahead thanks to increased supply and technological advancements. 

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