What is the cost of maintaining electric cars?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental friendliness and efficiency, but one of their biggest advantages is that their maintenance costs are lower compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. Let us analyze: What is the cost of maintaining electric cars? , becuse many potential owners of electric vehicles wonder how much it really costs to maintain these vehicles over time. Electric cars offer some distinct advantages in terms of maintenance, but there are still some factors to consider.

Electric vehicle cost difference

CR collected data from hundreds of thousands of members in its spring 2019 and 2020 reliability surveys to obtain information on the actual maintenance and repair costs of all types of vehicles.

After a comprehensive analysis, CR found that BEVs cost an estimated $0.031 in repairs and maintenance costs per mile over the life of the vehicle. PHEVs cost an average of $0.030 over the life of the car. Meanwhile, internal combustion engine vehicles cost a whopping $0.61 on average over the life of the car.

In total, the total lifetime maintenance and repair costs for both the Bev and Phev are on average 4,600$, while the average for ICE cars is 9,200$. This represents a 4,600$ difference in Bev and Phev savings.

The study used 200,000 miles to represent the normal lifespan of an automobile. Based on this, when analyzing total vehicle mileage, cost estimates were divided into three categories: 0 to 50,000 miles, 50,000 to 100,000 miles and 100,000 to 200,000 miles. This enabled the study author to obtain a more meaningful data set that could be averaged for the final balance.

However, the study authors noted that the results are fraught with some uncertainty due to the sample size. Overall, the authors acknowledge that their predictions may overestimate the long-term maintenance and repair costs of the current generation of Bevs. As automakers learn more from traditional models and implement new innovations based on these findings, BEV technology is expected to improve, which could further lead to lower maintenance and reporting costs.

What kind of maintenance an electric vehicle needs

Like other regularly used mechanical parts, electric vehicles also require regular maintenance and occasional repairs. However, compared with vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine, the work required every year is much less.

For electric vehicles, vehicle system maintenance and tire replacement are required 2 times a year. These help maintain optimum battery performance and longevity in electric vehicles.

An electric car that has been in operation for more than 8 to 10 years and will require a battery replacement at some point after the manufacturer's warranty expires. The new battery will cost between 5,000$ and 10,000$. However, many industry analysts believe that improvements in production processes and technological innovations will significantly reduce battery prices in the next 10 years.

Where does the savings come from ?

Electric vehicles allow owners to save on gasoline consumption while reducing their CO2 footprint, but also provide other integrated savings. Reduced maintenance and repair costs over the entire service life The fact that electric vehicles have only a fraction of the moving parts of vehicles with internal combustion engines this means that no oil changes are required and no new spark plugs, catalytic converters or other emission devices are required. Of course, all this adds to the savings that arise from the fact that you do not need to regularly buy gasoline.

Software Updates

Another unique aspect of electric vehicle maintenance is software updates. Many electric vehicles, especially Tesla models, receive wireless software updates that improve vehicle performance and add new features without the need for a visit to a dealer. These updates will help ensure that the car works optimally, without the need for physical maintenance.

Role of regenerative braking

Electric vehicles use a regenerative braking system that captures energy during braking and returns it to the battery. This technology reduces brake wear due to the low frequency of use of conventional friction brakes. As a result, brake pads and rotors in electric vehicles tend to last longer, contributing to lower maintenance costs. Traditional car brake pads need to be replaced every 30,000-70,000 miles, while electric car brake pads often last much longer due to regenerative braking.

conclusion

In general, maintenance of electric vehicles is significantly cheaper than maintenance of gasoline vehicles due to fewer moving parts, less brake wear and less fluid. However, the potential cost of replacing the battery is an important factor to consider. All in all, long-term maintenance savings combined with lower fuel costs make electric vehicles a cost-effective option for many drivers.