The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Electric Cars
The electric car is better for the environment and can also be more economical for your wallet. Charging an electric car at home is significantly cheaper than refueling a petrol or diesel car. According to an analysis by Check24, an electric car with an average consumption of 21 kWh per 100 kilometers results in annual electricity costs of around 840 euros for a household with an average electricity price of 36 cents per kilowatt hour. This is substantially lower than the 1,542 euros for petrol and 1,278 euros for diesel for the same mileage.
However, the cost advantage diminishes if public charging stations or fast chargers are used. At public charging stations, the cost can rise to 1,271 euros per year, and at fast charging stations, it can go up to 1,525 euros annually, making it comparable to or even more expensive than petrol or diesel.
BMW's Flexible Approach to Electric and Combustion Engines
BMW is taking a flexible approach to the fluctuating global market conditions for electric cars. While the company plans to launch a 100% electric 3 Series based on the Neue Klasse platform in 2025, it will continue to produce versions with combustion engines and hybrids. This dual approach allows BMW to adapt to changing regulations and customer needs without the risk of closing plants or reducing employment.
BMW's strategy includes maintaining native front- and rear-wheel drive platforms for all propulsion options, allowing the company to build all cars with different powertrains on one line. This flexibility is crucial as the market for electric cars continues to evolve, with predictions for electric car adoption varying widely over the past few years.
- Billy Scheufler, Energy Director at Check24, emphasizes that charging an electric car at home is much cheaper than many consumers think. By switching from a basic electricity supplier to an alternative provider, the annual cost can be reduced to 627 euros.
- BMW's product manager, Bernd Körber, confirmed in an interview with Autocar that the company's flexible approach allows it to adapt to market shifts without significant operational disruptions. This strategy is designed to handle the volatility in electric car adoption, driven by both regulatory changes and consumer preferences.
- Jochen Goller, BMW's sales chief, noted that while past estimates for electric car adoption were overly optimistic, current predictions may be too pessimistic. Despite this, the overall trend indicates growth in the electric car market.
