There are some long-term studies and analyses comparing the maintenance costs of hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs), though comprehensive, multi-decade studies are still somewhat limited due to the relative newness of some EV technologies.
Key Findings from Available Studies and Reports
- Consumer Reports data indicates that the lifetime maintenance and repair costs (estimated at 200,000 miles) for both all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are about $4,600 on average. This compares favorably with conventional gasoline vehicles, which average $9,200 over the same mileage. Notably, PHEVs—which have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor—cost slightly less to maintain than pure EVs after passing 100,000 miles, despite their mechanical complexity. Both hybrids and EVs cost about three cents per mile in maintenance, roughly half that of traditional gas-powered cars.
- Hybrid vehicles (HEVs and PHEVs) benefit from reduced engine wear and tear because the electric motor assists the gasoline engine, leading to overall lower maintenance costs over time. Regenerative braking in hybrids also extends the lifespan of brake pads, contributing to savings. Hybrid batteries are designed for durability, often with warranties up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, easing concerns about battery replacement costs.
- Electric vehicles (EVs) require less maintenance than conventional vehicles largely because they have fewer moving parts—no engine oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking, and simpler drivetrain components.
- A 2022 study addressing life cycle costs of conventional versus alternative drivetrain vehicles suggests that EVs and hybrids offer cost advantages, primarily driven by lower fuel and maintenance expenses, though it did not focus exclusively on very long-term maintenance costs beyond typical vehicle lifespans.
Summary
While extremely long-term (multi-decade) studies remain scarce, available research and Consumer Reports data strongly suggest that hybrids (HEVs and PHEVs) and EVs both have significantly lower maintenance costs over their lifetimes compared to gasoline vehicles. Interestingly, plug-in hybrids may incur even lower maintenance costs than fully electric vehicles after substantial use (100,000+ miles), possibly due to balanced drivetrain usage. Both benefit from reduced brake and engine wear, durable batteries, and fewer traditional maintenance needs.
Therefore, current evidence from long-term mileage studies (up to 200,000 miles) supports the conclusion that hybrids and EVs are cheaper to maintain than conventional cars, with hybrids sometimes offering the best lifetime maintenance cost savings among electrified vehicles.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/are-there-any-long-term-studies-comparing-the-maintenance-costs-of-hybrids-and-evs/
