Introduction
Alternative fuel vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Consumers have the option of purchasing an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or one that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Diesel-electric vehicles are also gaining traction in the market and have been around for many years now. Each type has its own pros and cons, but they all have one commonality: they cost more to purchase than their traditional counterparts.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are a great option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint, but they can be expensive. The cost of an electric vehicle depends on the make and model you choose, as well as the type of battery used (more expensive batteries have more range).
The cost of electricity varies from state to state, but it’s generally between $0.10-$0.30 per kWh depending on where you live. This means that if your car uses 30 kWh per 100 miles driven (about average), then it costs about $3 per 100 miles in electricity alone! That said, most EVs are also eligible for a federal tax credit equal to $7000 per vehicle–and some states offer additional incentives or rebates as well so check with yours before purchasing one!
Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are a combination of gasoline and electric power. Hybrid cars are more expensive than standard cars, but less expensive than electric vehicles. They may cost less to maintain than a standard car due to the fact that they have fewer moving parts and use less fuel overall.
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles
Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles are the most expensive type of alternative fuel vehicle to buy, but they have a lower cost of operation than gasoline-powered cars. This is due to the fact that CNG is cheaper than gasoline and can be obtained at many retail locations.
In addition, CNG vehicles do not require any special maintenance or extra parts like some hybrid electric vehicles do because they have an internal combustion engine that runs on either natural gas or gasoline with an additional tank installed specifically for compressed natural gas storage purposes.
Diesel-electric vehicles
Diesel-electric vehicles are more expensive than other types of alternative fuel vehicles. The diesel engine is more expensive than a gasoline engine, as is the electric motor. The battery pack also costs more than an equivalent amount of gasoline stored in a tank.
Diesel-electric vehicles cost about $6,000 more than comparable gas-powered cars and trucks (in 2013 dollars), according to data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Alternative fuel vehicles come in different flavors, and these are the costs associated with each type.
- Electric vehicles are the most expensive, but they also offer the greatest savings in terms of fuel costs and environmental impact.
- Hybrid vehicles are the cheapest option for alternative fuel vehicles, but they use gasoline as well as electricity so you’ll have to pay for both kinds of fuel.
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a middle ground between electric and hybrid cars — it’s less expensive than pure electric vehicles but more expensive than conventional combustion engines with gasoline or diesel fuel.
- Diesel-electric hybrids are a little bit pricier than CNGs, but still cheaper than pure EVs or PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric).
Conclusion
In the end, it’s up to you to decide which type of alternative fuel vehicle is best for your needs. However, we hope this guide has helped you understand the costs associated with each type so that you can make an informed decision about what kind of car is right for your wallet as well as our planet.