SMACC Analysis: Horse vs. Electric Car vs. Petrol Car – The Cost of Commuting 20km Daily
Content creators often embrace diverse and eye-catching themes to engage audiences. Here’s a quirky, yet insightful comparison of commuting costs for a horse, an electric car, and a small petrol car, all based on a consistent routine: traveling 20 kilometers daily, five days a week.
Assumptions
To ensure consistency and accuracy, the following assumptions are made:
1. Daily Mileage: 20km x 5 days/week = 100km/week or 400km/month (approximately 5,000km/year).
2. Horse: A well-trained riding horse, kept in good health, with costs for feed, care, stabling, and tack.
3. Electric Car: A compact model like a Nissan Leaf, factoring in purchase price, depreciation, electricity costs, and maintenance.
4. Petrol Car: A small petrol vehicle, such as a Ford Fiesta, including purchase price, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation.
5. Costs are calculated over a five-year period.
The Competitors
1. Horse
• Purchase Price: $5,000 (a mid-range riding horse).
• Feed: $100/month for hay, grain, and supplements.
• Stabling: $300/month (includes shelter, bedding, and utilities).
• Veterinary Care: $1,000/year (routine checkups, vaccinations, dental care).
• Shoeing/Farrier: $80 every 6 weeks.
• Tack and Equipment: $1,000 upfront, with annual replacements at $200.
• Daily Distance Capacity: Approximately 20km comfortably.
Annual Cost: $9,240.
Cost Per Kilometer: $1.84.
2. Electric Car (e.g., Nissan Leaf)
• Purchase Price: $35,000.
• Depreciation: $4,000/year.
• Electricity: 15 kWh/100km at $0.15/kWh = $1.50/100km or $6/month.
• Insurance: $600/year.
• Maintenance: $300/year.
Annual Cost: $5,906.
Cost Per Kilometer: $1.18.
3. Petrol Car (e.g., Ford Fiesta)
• Purchase Price: $20,000.
• Depreciation: $2,500/year.
• Fuel: 5L/100km at $1.50/L = $7.50/100km or $30/month.
• Insurance: $600/year.
• Maintenance: $500/year.
Annual Cost: $3,980.
Cost Per Kilometer: $0.80.
Comparison Table
Category Horse Electric Car Petrol Car
Purchase Price $5,000 $35,000 $20,000
Annual Cost $9,240 $5,906 $3,980
Cost Per Kilometer $1.84 $1.18 $0.80
Key Observations
1. The Horse: While the horse offers charm, exercise, and a unique mode of transport, it is by far the most expensive option due to high feed and care costs. Additionally, horses require rest days, limiting their utility for full-time commuting.
2. Electric Car: The electric car provides a modern, sustainable option with lower operating costs than the horse but is still expensive upfront. Depreciation remains a significant factor.
3. Petrol Car: The small petrol car emerges as the most economical choice overall. While fuel costs fluctuate, its affordability and practicality make it suitable for regular commuting.
Conclusion
For content creators looking for an engaging yet practical transport option, the petrol car wins on cost-efficiency. The electric car offers a greener alternative, while the horse is a delightful but costly novelty. Each mode reflects distinct priorities—affordability, sustainability, or charm.
In the modern age, the horse may not be the most practical commuting solution, but it might just make for the best Instagram reel!
