It can be cheaper, more climate-friendly, with fewer emissions – why do we still drive with gasoline and diesel??
The time for new powertrains is now: electric cars, hybrid vehicles, gas-powered cars. Many new models are coming, because a stricter emissions cap will force all car manufacturers to cut CO2 emissions from 2021 onward. Cars with alternative drives are still exotic, but they will increasingly replace vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines.
Climate change and the diesel scandal, but also an increasingly wide range of alternatives, are greatly accelerating this development. The electrification of the automobile is in full swing.
If only drive selection were as easy as pressing a button.
If you want to drive a more environmentally friendly car and save money at the same time, you can choose between different fuels, powertrains and technologies. The choice of models is growing, with almost all major automakers offering electric cars, natural gas-powered models and hybrid vehicles. Start-ups are also enriching the range for private individuals and businesses with surprising models and concepts.
What drives you?
There are many reasons to buy a car with an alternative drive: environmental and climate protection, greater economy, but also cost savings are at the top of the list. But for whom is an electric car recommended?? For whom is a gas-powered car worthwhile and who drives best with a hybrid vehicle?? Depending on driving habits, infrastructure and personal requirements, the answer will be different. There is no single car of the future – industry experts expect to see a mix of different drive technologies on German roads.
electric through dusseldorf with eddy
Fast and green through the city – that’s eddy. Bye-bye, traffic jams and long waiting times. With the climate-friendly e-scooter, you are flexible, smart and inexpensive on the road.
- On e-scooter sharing
A comparison of electric, natural gas and hybrid cars
Anyone who wants to drive an electric or gas-powered car quickly encounters three challenges: costs, filling station network and range. When comparing alternative powertrains, it’s also important to consider their overall environmental friendliness.
Electric car
The battery-powered electric car glides along the roads almost silently and without pauses to shift gears – because it only needs one gear. The electric cars accelerate surprisingly quickly, because the electric motor provides full torque from the first revolution. The choice of types and models is now similarly exciting: E-cars are available as small cars, luxury sedans, SUVs and sports cars, as well as vans and trucks for short-haul commercial transport and distribution.
Environmental friendliness
locally, an electric car emits no exhaust fumes. It protects the environment, but only as well as the electricity that powers it. Today, 40 % of the electricity mix available in germany already consists of green electricity. Ten years ago, this share was only 16 %.
The electric car noticeably improves air quality in conurbations. However, the cost and climate footprint of the electric car naturally also includes the costs of production. Recycling is one possible solution: some manufacturers sell the used batteries to solar system operators, who then reuse them.
Range
German drivers rarely drive more than 250 km at a time. The range of modern electric cars is already between 200 and 600 km under optimal conditions – and the trend is upward. Nevertheless, the question on everyone’s mind is: "Is the network of e-charging stations well enough developed??"the infrastructure is growing rapidly: at the end of 2017, there were around 6,000 charging stations in germany.500 charging stations and connections available, almost 15 by the beginning of 2019.000. It is becoming easier and easier to "refuel" in between to increase one’s own range. There are over 200 public charging points in dusseldorf alone.
Green on the road
Environmentally conscious and uncomplicated: with the stadtwerke dusseldorf fuel card, you can charge your electric vehicle inexpensively at more than 200 e-charging stations in dusseldorf and throughout europe.
- To the fuel card
Fast-charging stations take only about 20 minutes to recharge and about an hour to fully charge. Some e-mobility drivers consciously use the so-called "charging time" by reading or going for a walk. Ideally, you can combine recharging with something useful – like shopping, for example, because more and more supermarkets are equipping their parking lots with charging stations.
However, the most relaxing option is to fully charge the electric car overnight or during working hours – with the help of a wallbox for the garage, carport or parking space. stadtwerke dusseldorf offers solutions for private customers, community customers and businesses: wallboxes for the garage at home and charging columns for residential areas, apartment buildings, underground garages and companies. stadtwerke dusseldorf also develops "big solutions" for business customers. Progressive employers who want to switch to electric cars will find experienced contacts for charging stations at our company.
Better air is good for more than just people.
Costs
An electric vehicle still costs more to buy than a comparable "normal" car. The significantly lower energy, maintenance and operating costs make up for the higher purchase price sooner or later, depending on the model and total mileage.
In addition, electric cars are exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years. And drivers of company cars only have to pay tax on 0.5% of the vehicle’s gross list price as a non-cash benefit – which in this case means: "half the tax for electric vehicles and hybrids".
Recommendation
Purely electric cars are ideal for private individuals and company car drivers who are able to calculate their range requirements. They are also recommended as utility vehicles for companies that can easily plan their routes.
With more and more charging stations and helpful apps, charging on the go requires less and less planning. However, if you often drive long distances across germany, you should consider a gas-powered car or a hybrid – the ranges are greater and refueling is easier, even in rural areas.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid
Hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of the electric drive and the combustion engine. With the electric motor, you can drive purely electrically, for example in the city: up to 50 km depending on the brand and model. In addition, the hybrid drive uses its electric motor to support the combustion engine. This results in a noticeable consumption advantage – the electric motor helps save fuel. A hybrid car generates its own electricity while driving via the alternator and through energy recovery (recuperation) during braking or coasting. You can also charge the battery of the plug-in hybrid at your own wallbox or at public charging stations – the purely electric range is generally greater and more often fully available.
Environmental friendliness
If the hybrid drives purely electrically, there are no local emissions at all. If the electric motor supports the combustion engine, you save one to two liters of fuel per 100 km – compared to conventionally powered vehicles.
Range
Hybrid drivers have no range problems thanks to the combustion engine as the main drive system. The growing charging station infrastructure ensures that the purely electric range of plug-in hybrids can be fully available on a daily basis.
Costs
Hybrid models are available in virtually all car classes. Of course, you also have to pay a little more for a hybrid car; the purchase price is usually one-third higher than for the same model with a classic combustion engine.
Recommendation
A plug-in hybrid is recommended for drivers who want to be completely independent and drive a lot: both in the city and overland – and abroad. In the city, you can drive purely electrically, save gasoline on longer distances, and in neighboring countries you can fill up with the same gasoline as in germany.
Gas car
Gas is a particularly inexpensive and environmentally friendly fuel. Numerous car brands now offer models. In addition, many vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines can be retrofitted to run on natural gas. In the case of diesel vehicles, this is generally not economically worthwhile, but in the case of gasoline vehicles, depending on the model, it is worthwhile from an annual mileage of around 15 kilometers per year.000 km.
Start now with full throttle into a greener future.
environmental friendliness
Switching to a gas-powered car reduces pollutant emissions by a whopping 80 percent and fine dust emissions to almost zero. There are two types of gas for cars: LPG (also known as autogas) stands for "liquefied petroleum gas", CNG stands for "compressed natural gas". Liquid LPG is produced during the extraction of mineral oil and is therefore not quite as environmentally friendly as gaseous CNG.
More economical on the road with natural gas?
With our comparison calculator, you can quickly see for yourself how inexpensive it is to drive a natural gas car.
- To the economy calculator
Range
A tank of gas will take you more than 500 kilometers (depending on your driving style and model) – with moderate driving. Then one of currently around 6.700 filling stations with autogas or. one of 900 filling stations with a natural gas pump can be used. If there is no suitable filling station nearby, normal gasoline can be used! Because a big advantage of natural gas cars is that they can also fill up with gasoline.
Costs
Converting a normal car to autogas or natural gas costs (depending on the model) between 1.800 and 4.500 euro. the operating costs are greatly reduced: you save about 50% fuel compared to a petrol vehicle and about 30% compared to a diesel vehicle. gas prices are currently at least 30 % lower than the current diesel price. LPG will be subsidized with a reduced energy tax until the end of 2022, CNG until the end of 2026.
You can use the following formula to quickly determine when and whether a gas-powered car (CNG) is worthwhile for you:
Surcharge or conversion price x 100
(gasoline consumption/100 km x liter price) – (natural gas consumption/100 km x kg price)
Recommendation
A car with gas drive is recommended for all environmentally oriented frequent drivers who think economically and want to be relaxed on the road in germany. Because gas cars are less dynamic than their classic combustion counterparts, and consumption rises exponentially at higher speeds. For gas refueling abroad, adapters may be necessary, but of course you can also fill up with gasoline here. In germany, there are already over 500.000 gas-powered cars on the road, and major automakers have now rediscovered CNG as a genuine alternative.
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We love electric cars
Electric cars are economical and locally emission-free. stadtwerke dusseldorf is your competent partner for all questions regarding electromobility, charging infrastructure and green electricity for your household.
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