Should You Buy a Diesel or Petrol WAV?

When choosing your next Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle or WAV, there are a number of key components you need to consider. One being, should your WAV be Diesel, Petrol, or even electric?

To help you understand the positives and negatives to all three options, here is a comprehensive guide to help you when making the decision on your next WAV.

Diesel Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Diesel WAVs are a popular choice especially when it comes to larger models. Due to their fuel efficiency and comfort when handling heavy loads, it would make them an ideal choice for long-distance motorway driving and travel.

Petrol Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Petrol engines have come a long way and are still being updated today. They offer an excellent combination of efficiency and performance. Especially for everyday city and urban driving.

Electric Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Electric WAVs might be seen as the new kid of the block, but they are becoming increasingly more popular and can match a petrol car's efficiency and performance, with new models promising to beat both petrol and diesel.

Here is a breakdown into each option, explaining both the benefits and possible negatives you could expect.

Cost:

Initial cost of your next vehicle will likely be the main deciding factor when it comes to your next WAV.

Petrol cars typically offer the cheapest initial cost followed by diesel and electric cars. It is expected that as there are going to be more and more electric cars on the road, meaning the second-hand market for petrol and diesels may see a drop in price.

Depending on where you can or could charge your electric WAV will affect its day to day running costs, you might be able to utilise a cheaper overnight tariff, but this is definitely something you should check with your provider before committing to the car.

Diesel engines are currently considered the most common, especially in the second-hand WAV market, with most manual petrol’s following closely behind, leaving automatic petrol and electric cars more of a rare find at the moment.

Fuel Efficiency:

When it comes to efficiency and economical driving, diesels are generally more fuel-efficient than petrol engines, which naturally means fewer stops during long trips or drives. However, petrol and electric cars can offer more efficiency when it comes to shorter day to day drives.

If you frequently drive long distance journeys then a diesel could be for you, however if you are someone who only does short trips then a petrol may be more beneficial for you.

An electric WAV will generally be cheaper to run depending on where you charge and how often. Naturally an electric WAV is also an excellent choice for environmentally conscious drivers, providing you have access to a charger.

Maintenance:

Everyday maintenance isn’t something everyone wants to think about, but it should be a factor when picking your next WAV.

Diesels offer great durability and are considered to be more robust and can have a longer lifespan than some petrol or electric engines, make them a good choice for high-mileage users.

However, petrol engines are cheaper to run on a day-to-day basis and often have lower servicing and maintenance costs.

Electric WAVs tend to be cheaper to run, with lower running costs and less maintenance.

Choosing between a diesel, petrol, or electric WAV depends on your specific needs, driving habits, and budget. Diesel WAVs offer excellent fuel efficiency and power for long-distance driving, while petrol WAVs provide a smoother, quieter ride ideal for short trips and urban driving. Electric WAVs are an eco-friendly option providing you have or can get access to a charger.

Evaluate your driving patterns and priorities to determine which fuel type is the best fit for your next Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.