The firm’s annual study on the turning point between driving on petrol, diesel or electricity is based on purchase price, tax, non-recoverable VAT, consumption and resale value, and finds that where diesel were formerly preferred, petrol cars have a remarkably competitive role even with higher annual mileages.

Looking withn the compact segment, the research found that petrol cars have a clear advantage at an annual mileage up to 20,000 km and a duration of 60 months. At a lower maturity are petrol cars, unlike previous years, even with annual mileages of up to 35,000 km a more optimal choice. CNG cars in this segment have a lower TCO and form an economical alternative. Electric cars are sometimes less favorable. Given the higher purchase price is lower their TCO.

Within the ‘economy’ segment, the firm said there is a noticeable shift in the tipping point between diesel and petrol. Drivers covering 20,000-25,000km per year with a duration of 60 months could be better off opting for a petrol car. Even an annual mileage of 30,000km and a shorter duration of 24 months, petrol cars work out cheaper. Alphabet added that drivers who want to be sustainable are best to opt for a hybrid vehicle as even at higher annual mileages and longer maturities, it has a favourable TCO.

For the mid segment, Alphabet Belgium said that petrol cars are gradually coming more to the fore. It added that until last year, diesel was the most appropriate fuel from 20,000-25,000km per year, but the tipping point this year has shifted to 25,000-30,000km and it appears therefore at higher annual mileages and lower maturities, it’s already advantageous to opt for a petrol engine.

It added that in the executive and luxury segments, there is a slight change compared to previous years. In both categories, wherein larger, luxury cars and a number of premium brands are included, the traditional diesel engine remains generally more advantageous. However, some petrol car has a slightly lower total cost of ownership with an annual mileage of 10,000 km or less.

Pointing to the reasons why petrol models are becoming increasingly attractive, Alphabet cited new technologies and improvements in fuel econsumption as well as an increasing interest in petrol cars, helping to improve the residual values.