Which engine to choose?

Below 25,000 km/year and for short journeys (less than 20 km), especially in the city, or for the sporty aspect, you can opt for a petrol engine, cheaper to buy and maintain. Be careful, however, because the engine that emits the most CO2 (and therefore, consumes the most) is this one (even if manufacturers have made enormous progress in this area).

Benefits: 

• Cheaper to purchase and maintain than an equivalent diesel engine
• Higher engine speeds and therefore more suitable for sporty driving
• More versatile than a diesel engine

Disadvantages: 

• Consumption higher than an equivalent diesel engine
• Often less resistant over time
• Price at the pump often higher (depending on country and type of fuel chosen)

This fuel is especially recognized in France, the leading producer of ethanol in Europe. As you might expect, E85 is a derivative of E5 and E10 gasoline. This means that in summer (ethanol does not like the cold), up to 85% ethanol makes up the fuel. It is used like gasoline but on FlexFuel vehicles or vehicles converted to receive E85. Super ethanol is known for offering better performance but above all, for its cleanliness. This is why it is also called bioethanol. 

Benefits: 

• Cleaner than conventional gasoline (E5 or E10)
• Cheaper at the pump
• Higher octane rating (resulting in better engine performance)

Disadvantages: 

• Requires conversion (one box) + installation cost
• Non-additive fuel. It must therefore be treated continuously, in particular with Bardahl products.
• Leads to a 20-30% increase in consumption

CNG (compressed natural gas) is similar to domestic natural gas, the one you use at home. On the other hand, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is, as its name suggests, produced by refining oil. CNG is therefore greener (than LPG, gasoline and diesel) and allows you to enter underground car parks (unlike LPG). But the network of pumps still needs to be developed in Europe. In both cases, the price at the pump is very attractive (low or even non-existent taxation depending on the country).

Benefits: 

• Price at the pump
• CNG cleanliness

Disadvantages: 

• Installation cost (or slight additional cost on purchase)
• Gas station network to be improved (especially for CNG)
• LPG prohibited in underground car parks.

If you don’t have a charging solution at home or at your disposal, the classic non-rechargeable hybrid is a good solution, alongside the petrol engine. The technology is a little more expensive to buy but allows real fuel savings provided you avoid long motorway journeys. The ideal use is therefore similar to that of a conventional petrol engine.

Benefits: 

• Reduction of consumption
• No plug needed

Disadvantages: 

• More expensive to buy
• Not really suitable for long motorway journeys

If you don't have a reserved parking space with a charging station or a garage with a socket, move on! For others, the plug-in hybrid allows you to make daily journeys of between 30 and 90 km (doubled if you charge at the office for example) in 100% electric mode, while keeping the range of the petrol engine (or more rarely, Diesel) for holidays or longer journeys. Of course, the purchase cost is significantly higher than that of a conventional engine.

Benefits: 

• 2 cars in 1 (electric and combustion engine)
• Reduction of consumption and emissions (provided they are used properly)

Disadvantages: 

• Must be used well to be effective: it must be recharged, and therefore, have terminals available!
• More expensive to purchase than a comparable Diesel, petrol, CNG, LPG or hybrid vehicle

This time, we are crossing another threshold concerning the investment price. But often, taxation and tax are favorable to electric vehicles. However, you will have to deal with an often limited autonomy (between 120 and 600 km actual approximately depending on the vehicle) and also with a weak network of public charging stations. But if you have something to recharge at home (in an ideal world, with photovoltaic panels) and you agree to organize your journeys taking into account possible recharges, why not! Let us nevertheless remember that an electric vehicle is rarely 100% green because you have to take into account the emissions released during its assembly and the source of production of the electricity recharges. 

Benefits: 

• No exhaust emissions

Disadvantages: 

• Autonomy to monitor
• Requires charging stations (+ charging time)
• Purchase price higher than any other comparable engine