Are EVs Expensive to Maintain? Electric Vehicles vs. Gas-Powered Vehicles

As more drivers turn to electric vehicles (EVs), many Phoenix car-shoppers want to know if there is a difference in the cost of owning an EV vs. a gas-powered vehicle. So, are EVs expensive to maintain? How does the cost of EV repair compare to that of a gas car? Discover more about the cost of owning an EV vs. a gas-powered vehicle in this comprehensive guide from the team at Liberty GMC, Inc. in Peoria!

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Are EVs Expensive to Maintain?

First, it should be noted that maintenance costs can vary considerably based on the make and model of your EV, how and where you drive it, the age of the vehicle, and more. You should always consult your Owner’s Manual for clear recommendations on how often you should get your EV serviced. 

With that in mind, EVs may require less regular maintenance than a gas-powered car over the same period, since EVs have fewer moving parts, wear out brake pads more slowly thanks to regenerative braking, and you won’t have to fix or replace parts like:

• Spark plugs
• Oil filters
• Transmission fluid
• Engine oil
• Timing belts
• Oxygen sensors

Even with an EV, you’ll still need to perform some routine maintenance like replacing air filters, checking your windshield wipers, and rotating your tires, but overall, the EV maintenance costs should be lower than maintaining a gas-powered vehicle. After all, an EV doesn’t need oil changes, tune-ups, or coolant flushes, and doesn’t use complex multi-speed transmissions. It is estimated that on average, it costs approximately 6.1 cents per mile to maintain an EV, while it takes 10.1 cents per mile to maintain a gas-powered vehicle. 

Additionally, keep in mind that some OEMs offer free maintenance for a set period as part of your vehicle’s warranty. This period usually lasts between one and three years or a pre-set mileage limit, and typically only covers scheduled maintenance (see your Owner’s Manual). If EV maintenance is one of your primary concerns, make this a priority when you shop for a new or pre-owned EV. 

What Does it Cost to Own an EV vs. a Gas-Powered Car?

Will driving an EV save you money? It’s a complicated question, but generally yes—EVs can be more economical over the long run, though there are a few stipulations to consider. Let’s break it down and focus on two elements: fuel savings and tires. 

Fuel Savings

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Tempe drivers can save as much as $2,200 a year in fuel costs by driving a fully electric vehicle and up to $1,500 with a hybrid EV. However, it is also true that EVs command higher up-front MSRPs than their gas-powered counterparts, with some sources suggesting that EVs, on average, sell for 12% more than gas-powered models. So, while the cost to own an EV vs. a gas-powered car may be lower over the long haul, the high upfront costs may deter some drivers from getting fully electrified. 

If you want to gauge how much you might save on fuel expenses by going electric, check out this Drive-Electric Fuel Savings Calculator from the U.S. Department of Energy. Plug in your zip code or state, vehicle information, current fuel prices, and the fuel economy of your gas-powered vehicle to see how much you can save in your area by switching to a full EV or PHEV. 

EV Tires

This is one of the few areas where you can expect EV maintenance costs to be higher than those of gas-powered vehicles. Due to their heavy batteries, EVs are, on average, heavier than their gas-powered counterparts, meaning EV tires are under more pressure. Combine this with the instant torque and acceleration of an electric motor, and EV tires tend to get worn out more quickly than what you might experience with a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV). To counteract this, EV manufacturers create tougher, more resilient tires for electric vehicles, but these tend to be more expensive than conventional tires– 20-30% more expensive, in some cases. 

How Does the Cost of EV Repair Compare to That of a Gas Car?

While it does cost more to repair an EV compared to a gas-powered car, it turns out that most EVs are quite comparable to ICEVs in post-accident repair costs. For example, statistics from Mitchell, a software company that specializes in the collision repair industry, show that the average cost to repair an EV is only $269 more than the average repair cost across all vehicles ($4,474 vs. $4,205, respectively). This is about a 6% difference. 

The difference in cost can be attributed to a few reasons, with the main culprits being advanced driver-assist systems, weight, parts sourcing, and labor. Advanced driver-assist technologies are often unrepairable after collisions and need to be replaced outright, and the heavier weight of an EV means that the vehicle may sustain more damage in a collision compared to an ICEV. Plus, up to 90% of EV repairs are done using more expensive OEM-sourced parts as opposed to aftermarket parts, and the vast majority of EVs–up to 77%–are luxury models that are generally more expensive to repair from the get-go. 

In addition, specialized knowledge and expertise are required to repair an EV after a crash, especially in de-energizing and removing the battery, the most expensive part of an electric vehicle. This can easily require more labor hours, adding to the overall repair cost.

Explore Electrification With Liberty GMC, Inc.

Now that you know more about the cost of owning an EV vs. a gas-powered car, it’s time to explore our inventory of new electric vehicles. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and test drive of our electric vehicles at Liberty GMC, Inc.! Our team will review all your options to ensure you find the best configuration for your Glendale lifestyle, while our finance experts will find the best loan or lease plan for your budget. We look forward to working with you!