What Does It Cost To Maintain That New EV That You Want?

Though electric vehicles may still cost more to purchase than their conventionally powered counterparts, they’re generally cheaper to keep running via affordable home charging. Electric vehicles also save their owners cash on an ongoing basis via lower long-term maintenance costs.

That’s because EVs eliminate over two-dozen mechanical components that would normally require periodic service. An EV owner avoids having to pay for things like tune-ups, oil changes, cooling system flushes, transmission servicing, and replacing the air filter, spark plugs and drive belts. Sources suggest electric vehicle owners spend roughly a third of what conventionally powered auto owners do for regular service.

MDarringer - 7/16/2019 2:10:37 PM

+4 Boost

Then the battery pack dies and the car is totaled.

Truthy - 7/16/2019 3:10:54 PM

+5 Boost

I don't want one.

MDarringer - 7/16/2019 4:17:46 PM

+1 Boost

Speed the day.

TomM - 7/16/2019 6:16:20 PM

+6 Boost

Another cost of the EV - is installing a Charging station in the garage - which in many homes can cost well over $1000 - especially if new Lines must be run from the pole to handle 220 volts.

Yes indeed - eventually EVS will need to be Taxed per mile - for the Highway funds of the Nation and States - which are now funded through Gasoline Taxes. In addition - there will need to be a determination on Hybrids as well - since they also use the highways - contribute less taxes because they use less fuel. Some percentage of the per mile rate will be needed.

SanJoseDriver - 7/21/2019 3:04:44 PM

+1 Boost

The cost is $400-$500 to install a 220 outlet in your garage. If you don't drive very much, a standard outlet is fine. You don't need an external charger for most modern EVs including every Tesla ever made, the charger is internal and you just need a plug.

rockreid - 7/16/2019 8:27:22 PM

-4 Boost

FYI Battery pack warranty on Teslas is 8 years and either 100,000. 120,000 or 125,000 miles depending on the model. Projected actual lifespan for the average battery pack in my Model 3 is 300,000 to 500,000 miles and $5k to $7 to replace. Hardly “totalled”. This is about the same amount of money an Auto transmission costs to install. Let alone an engine.

supermoto - 7/16/2019 11:56:51 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah, but battery lifespan doesn't really matter. The maximum charge decreases every day. By the end of the battery "lifespan" your car will have a 1 mile range. LOL.

SanJoseDriver - 7/21/2019 3:06:20 PM

+1 Boost

Lifespan is defined at having over 70% of the rated range. If that takes 250,000 miles, you still have a functioning car at that time and perhaps there are some people out there than don't need all of the range. Even at 50% battery capacity, a base Model 3 still has more range than 1st gen electric cars like the original Leaf.

SSBMW - 7/17/2019 10:07:21 AM

-1 Boost

Only non enthusiast appliance drivers want an electric car.

SanJoseDriver - 7/21/2019 3:06:53 PM

+1 Boost

I guarantee everyone will want one at some point.