Multi-criteria analysis and expert assessment of vehicles with different drive types regarding their functionality and environmental impact

It is not easy to choose a car depending on the type of engine used in it. This is due to the diversity of properties characterising certain types of cars and doubts concerning the costs incurred during their operation (especially for new types as electric cars). Thus, this article presents a comparative analysis of cars provided with different energy sources. The analysis will allow finding the answer, which of the analysed car types best meet expectations, since both electric motor-driven vehicles and combustion engine-driven vehicles have a number of disadvantages and advantages. All compared vehicles are of the same model of a single make, with different drive sources and drive systems, classified in the same market segment. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to demonstrate, which vehicle type (that is, a car with spark-ignition engine, compression-ignition engine, electric motor, or Plug-In type hybrid drive) is currently the most optimal regarding technology, economy, and environment. For this purpose, the MAJA multi-criteria assessment method which has never before been used in comparisons of this sort was chosen.