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A Man Calculated the Time Spent Refueling a Gasoline Car Compared to Charging an Electric Vehicle and Came to a Surprising Conclusion

Published on 27/01/2026 at 19:58
Teste nos EUA calcula tempo ativo em 16.100 km e aponta até duas horas em abastecimentos de carros a combustão contra minutos em recargas de elétricos.
Teste nos EUA calcula tempo ativo em 16.100 km e aponta até duas horas em abastecimentos de carros a combustão contra minutos em recargas de elétricos.
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Study Conducted in the United States by an Electric Vehicle Specialist Compared Active Time Spent by Drivers Fueling Gasoline Cars and Connecting Electric Vehicles, Calculating Impacts Over 16,100 Kilometers and Revealing Significant Differences in Direct Dedication Required in Each Model

A test conducted in the United States by electric vehicle specialist R Symons compared the active time spent fueling gasoline cars and connecting electric vehicles, converting the results to 16,100 km, and pointed out a wide difference in time required from the driver.

Test Context and Definition of Active Time

The study was conducted in the United States and was based on R Symons’ personal experience as a gasoline car owner and electric vehicle owner. He decided to measure how much time drivers remain directly involved in the fueling or recharging process.

The focus of the analysis was on the so-called active time, defined as the period during which the driver needs to be present and attentive to the process. The total time for charging or fueling was not considered in isolation.

Observations at Fuel Stations in the U.S.

Symons visited local fuel stations to time how much time drivers spend fueling. He noted that, unlike electric charging, the driver needs to remain next to the pump throughout the process.

Additionally, the specialist measured the average time spent on fuel payment. According to his data, each stop involves about 4 minutes and 26 seconds just to complete the payment, increasing the total active time.

Calculations for Gasoline Cars Over 16,100 km

The study estimated the pumping rate at approximately 0.5 liters per second. For a vehicle with an average consumption of 30 miles (approx. 48 km) per gallon, equivalent to about 12.75 km per liter, traveling 16,100 km, the pumping time adds up to about 50 minutes.

Considering the multiple stops needed to cover that distance and the payment time at each stop, Symons calculated that a gasoline car driver accumulates approximately two hours of active time spent on fueling.

Active Time Involved in Charging Electric Vehicles

When analyzing electric vehicles, Symons highlighted that most charging occurs without direct driver involvement, such as during sleep or while the car is parked at work, reducing the demand for attention.

In cases of using public chargers, he estimated that connecting and disconnecting the vehicle takes about 10 seconds. With average charges of approximately 322 km per session, the total active time reaches about 16.5 minutes for every 16,100 km.

Final Result of the Comparison

Based on the data collected in the United States, the specialist concluded that, although gasoline fueling is faster in total duration, it requires more active time from the driver than electric charging.

According to Symons, the difference represents a savings of about one hour and forty-five minutes of active time for every 16,100 km driven, significantly altering the perception of practicality in daily use.

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Cristiano
Cristiano
30/01/2026 13:56

Quase 4 min e meio para fazer um pagamento? Sério, isso? Aqui eu não levo 10s. Só aproximo o cartão da maquininha que está com o frentista, e pronto. Algo de errado não está certo aí.

Fabio
Fabio
Reply to  Cristiano
30/01/2026 14:49

Nós Estados Unidos não existe frentista, após abastecer o carro vc tem q entrar na loja de conveniência informar a bomba q vc usou e aí fazer o pagamento.

Marcos Lessa
Marcos Lessa
27/01/2026 22:02

Deve ter ganho muito bem para mentir

JAUDEMIR
JAUDEMIR
Reply to  Marcos Lessa
17/02/2026 08:02

Também queria ganhar o que ele ganhou pra enganar os bestas.

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide variety of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, naval industry, geopolitics, renewable energy, and economics. Active since 2015, with prominent publications on major news portals. My background in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10,000 articles published in renowned outlets, I always aim to provide detailed information and relevant insights for the reader.

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