Electric vehicles (EVs) offer lower scheduled maintenance costs compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles due to fewer moving parts and less need for regular services like oil changes or transmission fluid replacements. However, there are several hidden costs associated with EV maintenance and ownership that buyers should be aware of:
Hidden Costs Associated with Electric Vehicle Maintenance
1. Battery Degradation and Replacement Costs
- The EV battery is the most expensive component. Frequent use of DC fast chargers accelerates battery capacity loss. Regularly charging to 100% also hastens battery degradation.
- Over time, battery replacement can be a costly affair, although this cost may be spread out over many years.
2. Higher Repair Costs
- Although overall scheduled maintenance is cheaper, some repairs can be more expensive due to the complexity and specialized nature of EV components.
- Repair costs for EVs have been found to be about twice as high compared to ICE vehicles in some studies, partly because EV parts are less common and repairs require specialized labor and automaker-sourced parts.
- Limited availability of specialized EV mechanics can make repairs more expensive and time-consuming.
3. Tire Wear
- EVs tend to be heavier and have higher torque, which results in faster tire wear.
- EV tires may need replacement more frequently, typically every 25,000 miles, costing approximately $200 to $300 per tire.
4. Rising Electricity Costs
- Electricity rates are increasing in many regions and vary widely, affecting the cost to charge an EV.
- While still cheaper than gasoline in all U.S. states, higher utility rates and time-of-day pricing could add to ongoing operational costs.
5. Possible Reliability Issues
- Consumer reports indicate EVs can have a higher incidence of problems reported by owners (about 79% more than gasoline vehicles), which can translate into unexpected maintenance or repairs.
Summary
While EVs generally have lower routine maintenance costs, owners should budget for potential hidden costs including battery degradation (especially with frequent fast charging), higher costly repairs that require specialist skills, accelerated tire wear, rising electricity costs, and occasional reliability-related repairs. These factors can affect the total cost of ownership and should be considered alongside the upfront savings on fuel and routine servicing.
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