Over a 10-year period, the maintenance costs of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) tend to be lower than those of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, but there are nuanced differences between PHEVs and HEVs themselves.
Maintenance Cost Comparison Between PHEVs and HEVs
- Similar Lifetime Maintenance Costs: According to a Consumer Reports analysis, over a lifetime (approximately 200,000 miles), both PHEVs and BEVs (battery electric vehicles) cost about $4,600 less to repair and maintain compared to ICE vehicles. The estimated per-mile repair and maintenance costs for PHEVs are slightly higher than BEVs but significantly lower than ICE vehicles, and generally comparable to HEVs.
- Complexity and Cost Factors:
- HEVs have a gasoline engine and an electric motor that work together, and their electric system often reduces wear on components like brakes due to regenerative braking. This can cut down some maintenance needs such as brake replacement and oil changes.
- PHEVs are more complex than HEVs because they have larger batteries and electric components that allow extended electric-only driving. This complexity can lead to somewhat higher maintenance or repair costs for PHEV-specific components, particularly if driven mostly within electric range where the gasoline engine is used less frequently, potentially causing different wear patterns or maintenance needs.
- Long-Term Reliability and Cost Trends:
- Both PHEV and HEV technologies are expected to improve in reliability and reduce costs over the next decade, but PHEVs currently have a technology complexity that may result in slightly higher maintenance compared to HEVs in some cases.
- Maintenance savings from regenerative braking and reduced engine load apply to both, but PHEVs may have additional maintenance related to battery management systems and charging hardware that HEVs do not have.
Summary
| Vehicle Type | Relative Maintenance Cost Over 10 Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HEVs | Moderate, generally lower than ICE | Benefit from regenerative braking; simpler electric system than PHEVs |
| PHEVs | Similar or slightly higher than HEVs | More complex due to larger battery and EV components, possible higher costs |
| ICE Vehicles | Highest | Traditional maintenance costs for engine, brakes, oil changes, etc. |
Both PHEVs and HEVs offer lower maintenance costs than traditional gasoline vehicles, with PHEVs typically having costs comparable to HEVs but potentially slightly higher due to additional electric-system components. Over a 10-year period, PHEVs and HEVs are expected to provide cost benefits in maintenance, largely thanks to reduced mechanical wear and regenerative braking, but PHEVs’ more complex system may necessitate somewhat more attention or expense in some scenarios.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-the-maintenance-costs-of-phevs-compare-to-hevs-over-a-10-year-period/
