Over the first 10 years of ownership, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) tend to have lower maintenance costs compared to Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), despite PHEVs being mechanically more complex.
Maintenance Cost Comparison
- PHEVs vs HEVs:
PHEVs combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery pack, making their systems more complex than HEVs, which have simpler hybrid systems. However, studies indicate PHEVs have lower maintenance and repair costs than traditional internal combustion vehicles and even HEVs over time. According to Consumer Reports findings, both all-electric vehicles and PHEVs cost around 3 cents per mile in maintenance and repairs, about half the cost of conventional gasoline cars, with lifetime maintenance costs estimated at $4,600 over 200,000 miles. This cost is significantly lower than the $9,200 projected for conventional gas vehicles, and PHEVs even undercut pure electric vehicles on maintenance savings after 100,000 miles. - Fuel Efficiency Impact:
PHEVs consume less gasoline than HEVs because they can operate in all-electric mode for portions of travel, reducing engine wear and consequently maintenance needs related to the combustion engine. This electric-first driving capability decreases dependency on gas and associated maintenance such as oil changes and engine wear repairs. - Complexity vs Maintenance Frequency:
Although PHEVs are more complex due to having both an electric and a gas propulsion system plus power electronics and a battery, the frequency and cost of repairs are still lower than expected. Electric components typically require less maintenance than combustion engine parts, balancing the complexity out over time.
Summary
| Vehicle Type | Maintenance Cost over 10 Years (approximate) | Maintenance Cost per Mile | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | ~$4,600 (200,000 miles basis) | 3 cents | Lower maintenance due to electric mode use; complex but cost-effective long-term |
| Hybrid (HEV) | Higher than PHEVs (exact figure varies) | Higher than PHEVs | Simpler than PHEVs but more engine use leads to higher maintenance than PHEVs |
| Conventional Gasoline | ~$9,200 (200,000 miles basis) | ~6 cents or more | Significantly higher due to engine and transmission wear |
In conclusion, over the first 10 years, PHEVs generally offer lower maintenance costs than HEVs, largely because PHEVs can rely more on electric driving, reducing wear and maintenance on the gasoline engine components. This effect offsets their mechanical complexity, resulting in overall lower repair and maintenance expenses compared to HEVs.
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-the-first-10-years-of-ownership/
