Discussing electric cars vs gasoline is indeed interesting. Because this is still always a hot topic of conversation in Indonesian society, especially about which one is more economical to have between the two.
Moreover, currently the price of Pertalite and Pertamax fuel oil (BBM) has increased quite significantly. As a result, many petrol-engined car owners have decided to switch to electric cars.
So, so you don't get confused about whether to keep using a gasoline-engined car or replace it with an electric car. The following discussion of electric vs gasoline cars might be a reference for making choices.
In the following discussion of electric vs gasoline cars, we will take the ones whose prices are similar, namely Rp. 300 million. For electric cars, use the Wuling Air EV, while petrol cars use the Mitsubishi Xpander as an example.
In other words, this is a comparison between Wuling Air EV vs Mitsubishi Xpander. Which of the two is more economical to have? Here are the details:
Electric Car Periodic Service Costs Are Cheaper than Gasoline Cars
The first discussion regarding electric vs gasoline cars is in terms of maintenance costs or periodic servicing. Take the example of the first gasoline car, namely the Mitsubishi Xpander, when the odometer has touched the 100 thousand kilometers mark, the service fee at the official repair shop is in the range of Rp. 7 million.
For information from 0-50 thousand kilometers, Xpander has a free service fee package via the smart package promo. This includes service fees, spare parts such as oil, oil filters, AC filters, and air filters.
Then starting from 60 thousand kilometers, the service fee is around IDR 2.5 million. Then servicing 70 and 90 thousand km costs the same service, namely Rp. 650 thousand and servicing 80 thousand km, costs Rp. 900 thousand. And when the odometer reaches 100 thousand km, the service fee reaches around IDR 2.58 million.
So, what about Wuling Air EV maintenance? Cheap periodic service costs, is one of the advantages of electric cars. This is evidenced by the same distance as a gasoline car, which is 100 thousand km, the Wuling Air EV electric car only requires maintenance costs of around IDR 4 million, aka almost 2 times cheaper than the Mitsubishi Xpander.
This is because there are fewer electric car components than conventional cars. One example, does not require engine oil.
As for the details, namely the first service or 5,000 km, the service fee that must be prepared is IDR 345,000, which includes a service fee of IDR 180,000 and axle oil IDR 165,000. Then for the next periodic service, which is 10 thousand km, the fee prepared is IDR 240 thousand which includes a service fee of IDR 160 thousand and an AC filter service of IDR 80 thousand.
Furthermore, at 20,000 km the service fee is more expensive, namely IDR 559,000 because there is a change in axle oil and brake fluid (IDR 134,000). So, the 30,000 service fee is the same as the 10,000 km service, which is IDR 240,000.
Meanwhile, for servicing 40 thousand km, the fee returns to Rp. 345,000 or the same as the initial service. Next, a service at Rp. 50,000 costs more, namely Rp. 454,000 with service coverage of Rp. 240,000, AC filter Rp. 80,000 and brake fluid Rp. 154,000.
So, for service costs at 60 thousand km, the service fee is Rp. 200,000 and axle oil changes are Rp. 165,000. Meanwhile, the service fee for 70 and 90 thousand km is Rp. 240 thousand for service and replacement of the car's AC filter.
Unlike the 80 thousand km service fee which is more expensive, which is IDR 559 thousand. That's because there is a change of axle oil and brake fluid. Then for a service fee of 100 thousand km, a fee of Rp. 345,000 is required, covering the axle oil change and a service fee of Rp. 160,000. These costs also do not include taxes and free service for up to 50 thousand km.
The advantages of an electric car, it only takes IDR 150 per km
In addition to periodic service costs up to 100 thousand km, the discussion of electric vs gasoline cars will also review the cost of purchasing a power source. Where for gasoline cars, of course, fuel. Meanwhile, an electric car costs a battery charge.
Take the example of the Wuling Air EV Long Range, which has a distance of up to 300 km. On paper, 1 kWh can cover a distance of about 10 to 11 km. Or if you convert it to only IDR 150 for 1 km. This is one of the advantages of electric cars compared to gasoline cars. So to cover a distance of 300 km, Wuling Air EV requires a breakdown of costs of IDR 150 x 300 Km or IDR 45 thousand for 300 Km.
"For every 1 kWh, it can travel 10 to 11 km or Rp. 150 per kilometer," explained Danang Wiratmoko as Product Planning for Wuling Indonesia some time ago at the GIIAS 2022 event.
Then, what about the Mitsubishi Xpander, how much does it cost to buy the fuel. Based on the results of the fuel consumption test from the Moladin team, 1 liter of fuel can cover a distance of 17.5 km.
So, to cover a distance of 300 km the calculation is 300: 17.5 x IDR 10,000 (Pertalite price) which results in IDR 171,428. Meanwhile, if you use the Pertamax type of fuel, Rp. 14,500 per liter will cost Rp. 248,571.
This means that the comparison of electric vs gasoline cars here proves that the contents of the battery are cheaper than the contents of fuel. Even to go 300 km, the cost of conventional car gasoline is 4-5 times more expensive than the contents of an electric car battery.
It's just that charging the Wuling Air EV battery takes a long time, which is the fastest 4 hours from 20 percent to 80 percent. this is the drawback of electric cars. The reason is that if you have a conventional car, just fill it up at the nearest gas station, less than 5 minutes.
Disadvantages of Electric Cars, Expensive Battery Prices
So in terms of periodic maintenance and cost per kilometer, electric cars are the winners. Then is it better to buy an electric car? Not necessarily. Because electric cars also have weaknesses in terms of battery prices which are very expensive if damage occurs.
Indeed, until now, automotive manufacturers in Indonesia who sell electric cars have not clearly informed the price of the battery. However, if we look at various cases abroad, it is possible that the price of an electric car battery could reach 50 percent of the price of the car itself.
The possibility is for the Wuling Air EV which is sold for IDR 300 million. So the overall battery price can be IDR 150 million. But the good news, not all battery damage must be replaced entirely. For Wuling Air EV, battery damage can only be partially replaced.
Furthermore, to provide a sense of security, Wuling also provides a warranty for the battery for 8 years or 120 thousand Km. So, if there is damage under that, then you can say it's safe, aka you don't spend money to replace the battery.
Meanwhile, for gasoline cars, the key is periodic maintenance. If all components are cared for properly, as well as how to drive politely, then conventional gasoline-engined cars can last a very long time. Evidently many old cars with gasoline engines roam the streets to this day.
That's a review of electric cars vs gasoline. Which one do you choose? Keep watching Moladin.com for other interesting automotive information.
