Maintenance cost of Electric Vehicle
Electric cars are fairly simple vehicles: an electric motor, a battery, a transmission system without a gearbox, and a lot of electronics. The mechanical elements are thus limited while the electric motors are recognized for their longevity and their almost zero maintenance.
EVs are becoming increasingly popular, but how much will it cost to keep them running? The answer depends on the type of vehicle and its age.
Pads Replacement
Compared to a gasoline or diesel car, there are many maintenance operations that disappear on an electric car: oil change, timing belt, spark plugs, etc. Only the elements such as the brake pads / discs or the tires need to be changed regularly, accompanied of course by the wipers and the washer.
Regarding the brake pads, it is interesting to note that the braking energy recovery systems fitted to many electric cars allow the pads to be relieved and therefore changed less often.
Battery Replacement
Regarding maintenance operations specific to the electric car, some manufacturers require a regular check the battery’s state, generally every year.
Battery Charging
In addition to the initial purchase price, there are also ongoing costs associated with owning an EV. These include charging costs, which vary by location. You can find out how much these costs will add up to by visiting PlugShare.com.
Insurance
It costs about $100 more per year to insure an electric vehicle compared to similar gasoline or diesel models, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of car insurance rates for top-selling vehicles.
Car insurance rates: Electric vehicles vs. gas vehicles:
Model Average annual car insurance cost (electric model) Average annual car insurance cost (gas-powered model) Chrysler Pacifica 1,986 $1,891 Ford Fusion $2,041 $1,865 Ford Escape $1,831 $1,663 Honda Accord $1,888 $1,988 Honda CR-V $1,831 $1,574 Toyota Camry $1,970 $1,899 Toyota Corolla $1,823 $1,909 Toyota Highlander $1,904 $1,757 Toyota RAV4 $1,776 $1,704 Subaru Crosstrek $1,843 $1,606 Average $1,889 $1,786
Conclusion
While it is still difficult to quantify the exact maintenance costs of an electric car, it is commonly accepted that these are about 25% lower than a gasoline or diesel car. We understand a little better then that not all dealers are excited about the arrival of electric vehicles …
If you are an electric car user, please do not hesitate to share your experience in the comments of so that we can update and supplement our information.
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The maintenance cost for ICE varies a lot based on the age of the car.
I suspect the ratio of maintenance cost between ICE and EV will grow over time.
You do need to change windshield wipers and tires OCCASSIONALLY.
Readers: OK, this driver of some 50 decades has his first EV-Hyundia Ioniq 2022 yr. Its been circa 02 months with it, and I will say, with truth, I will never drive an I.C.E auto again! NONE of the I.C.E. repair issues and no petrol. As to long life & cost; let me add this footnote. There is a video on YouTube from I think, Fully Charged pages ; of a fellow who has the first generation Leaf. Aside from some battery degradation, he has just bought tyres, wiper blades and the usual chassis things, and it has circa 200K miles on it. A 12yr old EV that is as sound and functional as the day it was built. And it costs him nothing to run 10 months of an English year, as he charges it from a payed off solar array on his house. The math on an EV is easy to do.
So readers; might I recommend you go forth and buy one, NOW, used or new. There is much to choose from, and when you buy, buy an EV the same way you SHOULD buy an I.C.E auto—buy an EV for the way you drive 90% of the time. Then adjust as needed for the 10%. Note even a 100 mile range EV can and has been driven coast to coast{USA} so range anxiety is another issue that should be discarded. It just takes planning and forethought, the way it was in the early years of gas autos {up to the late 1960′!}
I’m very confused by the insurance table. None of those models are EVs.
Regardless, I pay $1832/year for two EVs (yes TWO), a home, and a nice musical instrument.
Thanks Portia, we will update the table.
I have a 2022 BMW iX3 and like Charles said, no more ICE for me. But the total ownership cost is not a factor for me… it is the experience overall.
The BMW X3 petrol when equipped like its EV version is almost the same (around $130k out the door). Yes BMW X3s start at about 90k but you get a base version. So lets compare them when similarly equipped.
Only consumables pretty much. However, BMWs come with a 5-year Chargefox subscription for free. This means no cost charging at any Chargefox owned and operated station (including QLD Yurika chargers). That saves up to $5k a year in energy costs to convert into kilometers!
Batteries are modular and are warranted up to 8 years, unlimited mileage. By then, if you still have the iX3 which I highly doubt, batteries will be cheaper. It is important to note that it doesn’t mean they become unusable by year 8 but maybe they have maybe another 5 years of reduced range.
In the end, I am happy I bought my first EV.
Today is my 10 year anniversary of been only 100% electric.
I have 2 Nissan LEAFs and a Tesla Model Y that just turned 2 years old
The Tesla has had 1 gallon of wiper fluid and its tires rotated twice so far.
The Nissan LEAFs have been flawless, only tires, wiper blades, and a couple 12V batteries each.
In my 10 years and almost 200,000 miles I’ve done very little maintenance on 3 EVs.
Currently I fill up my Tesla Model Y for $12 in electricity in Northern NJ.