One of the criteria people in Azerbaijan prioritize when choosing a car is its cost-effectiveness. But what does cost-effectiveness of a car mean? Using less fuel? What other criteria are there?
Medianews.az asked transport expert Aslan Asadov, who stated that it is not correct to consider the matter of cost-effectiveness only from the perspective of low fuel consumption: “This includes the quality of the provided services, i.e., the availability of specialized mechanic services, ease of repairing any model, and easy availability of spare parts in the market. Also, if necessary parts are not available in the country, how long and under what conditions they are imported from abroad determines the overall cost-effectiveness criterion. Therefore, we cannot evaluate a car solely based on its fuel system. The specific features and operational indicators of the vehicle also directly affect this.”
From the fuel type perspective, diesel-powered vehicles are generally considered more cost-effective for trucks and other heavy equipment categories. For passenger cars, hybrid and electric cars can be classified as cost-effective vehicles in terms of reducing fuel expenses.”
Aslan Asadov noted that fuel prices in Azerbaijan have increased by about 30% in the last two years, resulting in changes in criteria in the car market and vehicles beginning to be classified into certain categories (for example, the economy class): “People now pay much more attention to the year of manufacture (whether the car is new or old), quality, and most importantly, fuel consumption.
This process also brings to the forefront the problem of finding spare parts for old cars or the complete removal of some parts from sale. As a result, the overall geography of the used car market and the demand-supply balance have been reformed according to the new economic conditions.”
Answering the question “Which types of cars are considered more economical in cities with heavy traffic such as Baku?” the expert said that usually electric cars, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids are considered more economical in metropolises: “However, the efficiency of these technologies largely depends on the region's climate conditions. For example, pure electric cars and some plug-in models cannot fully restore battery function in countries with cold climates. In the cold, the battery’s lifespan and charge are quickly depleted. Therefore, inefficient operation of the charging system and batteries in cold climates increases the demand for alternative fuel.
In countries like Azerbaijan, where the climate is mostly mild, warm, and sunny, electric cars and plug-in models prove themselves well. In this regard, for example, the increasing interest in electric-powered vehicles in Baku is quite natural, and this type of cars is more attractive to drivers.”
What should drivers do to reduce fuel consumption in daily use? A. Asadov answered this question from the website as follows: “To minimize daily fuel consumption, the driver must pay attention to many technical aspects. Generally, there are 18 main factors that increase fuel consumption in cars. Among these, the most important three are fuel quality, the engine's working volume with its effective work coefficient (this indicator must be above 30%), and the combustion process involving the engine's ignition. It should be noted that the last factor is directly influenced by the condition of the spark plugs.
Overall, these three factors are the main components that prevent fuel waste.
Besides these, the car's dimensions, braking system, tire condition, and even the steering mechanism significantly affect fuel consumption. The proper adjustment of the steering control system plays a major role in savings since it reduces the vehicle’s movement resistance, and this is an undeniable fact.”
Naile Gasimova,
Medianews.az