Imagine driving 2,500 kilometers across Europe in an electric car, tracking your every move with charging stops and comparing it to the costs and convenience of driving a diesel-powered vehicle. A group of journalists did just that, and what they discovered about the economics of driving electric versus diesel may just surprise you.
A Journey from Berlin to Madrid: Tesla Model Y vs. Tesla Model 3
Recently, a team of Spanish journalists took a unique road trip to explore the real-world efficiency of electric vehicles. After visiting Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin, where the Tesla Model Y is made, they decided to compare the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD with the newer Tesla Model 3 Highland, both in their Long Range versions. The mission? To track the cost and performance of these vehicles as they drove from Berlin to Madrid, covering a total distance of 2,500 kilometers.
Along the way, the team made regular charging stops every 200 to 300 kilometers, with the cars often recharged and ready to go before they’d even finished grabbing a coffee or using the restroom. They were also curious to see if there would be a significant economic difference between driving an electric vehicle and a traditional gasoline or diesel car.
Comparing Electric vs. Diesel Costs: A Surprising Discovery
For the purpose of comparison, the journalists used official EU data on the average fuel prices for diesel and gasoline across different countries. They also assumed a gasoline car with a consumption of 7 liters per 100 km and a diesel car consuming 5.5 liters per 100 km. This approach allowed them to calculate the total cost for each type of vehicle across the entire journey.
What they found was that, in the case of charging a Tesla at Tesla’s fast-charging Superchargers, the total cost was about €53.62 more expensive than refueling a diesel vehicle for the same 2,500 kilometers. If they’d used a gasoline vehicle as a reference point with the same consumption rate, the difference jumped to €136.61. In other words, for long trips, diesel still seemed like a more cost-effective option, particularly when you consider the time it takes to recharge an electric car versus filling up a diesel tank.
Diesel Still Reigns for Long-Distance Travel
From the perspective of time and money, it seems that diesel vehicles continue to hold a significant advantage when it comes to long-distance travel. Despite the fact that the team’s electric vehicles had longer charging stops, diesel cars were still quicker to fuel up and get back on the road. This makes them the go-to option for those looking to cover great distances in the least amount of time.
That said, it’s essential to view these findings with a grain of salt. If the journalists had opted for slower charging stations, perhaps more widely available for overnight stops, the cost difference could have been much smaller. Additionally, combining the use of different types of charging stations could have lowered the cost for electric vehicle owners.
Maintenance and Long-Term Savings: The Bigger Picture
While the initial comparison might make it seem like diesel vehicles offer more savings on long trips, there’s another important factor to consider: maintenance. Electric vehicles tend to have much lower maintenance costs compared to their diesel counterparts, which require more frequent upkeep due to the complexity of their engines and systems. Over time, these lower maintenance costs could help balance out any initial cost differences between electric and diesel vehicles, making electric cars a more attractive option for some consumers in the long run.
In the end, the right choice depends on your individual needs. For those who do a lot of long-distance driving, a diesel vehicle may still offer better value. But for those looking to reduce environmental impact, lower maintenance costs, and embrace the future of sustainable transportation, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly appealing.
The important takeaway from this road trip? Whether it’s the speed of travel or the cost of fuel, each type of vehicle has its pros and cons, and it’s crucial to weigh them carefully before making a decision. The world of automobiles is full of choices, and the future is definitely electric—though diesel isn’t quite out of the picture just yet.
