Two people working to reduce EV maintenance costs.

If you’re switching to an electric vehicle (EV) from an internal combustion engine (ICE) car, how do the maintenance costs stack up? The good news is that EV maintenance costs are consistently lower than for gas-powered vehicles. Maintenance costs should gradually come down over time as key materials become more affordable and technical support less specialized. With charging infrastructure growing rapidly, and EV maintenance costs already shading gas-powered vehicles, there’s even more evidence that EVs are the future of the automotive industry.

Why EV Maintenance Costs Are Lower

EVs cost less to maintain and repair because they have fewer moving parts. A lot fewer. There are more than 2,000 moving parts in the drivetrain of a typical ICE vehicle, compared to around 20 in an electric vehicle. If you’re driving an EV, you won’t have to worry about these common costs:

Oil change and service (every 5-7,000 miles)
Coolant flush
Air filter replacement
Replacement spark plugs, drive belts and hoses
Repairs to muffler and distributor

Neither will you have to worry about replacing a stolen catalytic converter, the scourge of the modern motorist. Depending on the model, the cost of a new converter can range from hundreds to thousands. EV drivers can also expect to pay less for brake repairs and maintenance since EVs deploy a degenerative braking system whereby the engine assumes some of the braking load to generate power. That means less wear and tear on pads and calipers.

As a ballpark figure only, you can expect to pay $4,600 less in repair and maintenance costs over the lifetime of an EV compared to petrol, or $949 less a year. According to the Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, scheduled maintenance costs for an EV work out at just $0.06 cents per mile.

Budget For These Expenses

You’ll still have to maintain the systems that are the same for an EV as for a gas vehicle. For example, your shocks and suspension are susceptible to the same wear and tear, while your tires may even wear out faster because they are carrying heavier weight and are exposed to more rapid torque.

A regular service will also be necessary to monitor the performance of electronics (software, switches, and sensors), HVAC, and power steering.

Contrary to popular belief, battery maintenance and replacement is not the critical factor EV skeptics claim. An EV battery lasts longer and degrades slower than most people think. An EV battery will typically retain working capacity for 10 years and fulfill 1,500 to 2,000 charge cycles. That’s a longer lifetime than the standard 8-year or 100,000-mile lifetime covered under a warranty. You will, however, have to budget for the following battery-related expenses:

Coolant
Health diagnostic
Battery management system software
Charge port maintenance

Admittedly, a battery pack replacement is expensive if required. Costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the model, but it’s rarely necessary to replace the entire battery pack.

Hidden costs of EVs

Although it’s not strictly a maintenance cost, it’s worth noting that the upfront cost of an EV tends to be higher, even if the gap is narrowing. Kelley Blue Book puts the average cost of an EV compared to a gas-powered vehicle at $61,488 vs. $48,681.

Bear in mind too that repair costs in case of an accident will be (as much as two times) higher. EVs tend to have a more complex supply chain for sourcing new parts and may need specialized technicians to carry out repairs. Both come at a premium.

Regular maintenance, on the other hand, may work out cheaper. Whereas the annual checkup is customary for ICE vehicles, EVs often stretch to a 2-year servicing interval to take reduced wear and tear into account. Some brands, most notably Tesla, simply alert the driver when it’s time for a tune-up rather than sticking to scheduled maintenance.

Insurance is also higher (marginally) but this will vary according to your vehicle model, location, and driving history.

How to Minimize Running Costs

As with any vehicle, preventive maintenance trumps repairs at the cash register. Your vehicle manufacturer will have a recommended maintenance schedule for various components and systems and this should be observed.

Keep your tire pressure within the recommended range too, not least because of the extra load they carry on EVs. If your tires are set to the correct level, you’ll find it easier to plan charging stops for your journey and overcome range anxiety.

On the subject of charging, you never want to discharge your battery completely. Although it’s not as damaging to the engine as running out of gas, it’s not good for your battery and there will be the additional costs of assistance/towing to cover. Luckily, you’ll get plenty of warnings (i.e. “turtle mode”) before running out entirely.

How EV Connect Supports Affordable Driving

Through our partnerships with some of the world’s largest companies, we’re supporting the rise of EVs. Our charging management solutions for EV fleets and businesses of all types and sizes are helping to extend the range of charging options and make the cost competitive and affordable.

Now that you’ve got a complete picture of EV maintenance costs (and how you could be saving), it’s time to think about switching to the fossil fuel-free revolution.

Interested in electrifying your property? Contact EV Connect today!

Sources:

Green Cars Cost to Maintain an Electric Car | GreenCars

AAA True Cost of Electric Vehicles

Forbes What it costs to maintain an EV

Which Car Electric car servicing explained: What do EVs cost to maintain?

Department of Energy FOTW #1190, June 14, 2021: Battery-Electric Vehicles Have Lower Scheduled Maintenance Costs than Other Light-Duty Vehicles | Department of Energy

Motor Trend - EV Tire Care