EV Myth: EVs cost more to maintain

May 23, 2024

Contrary to popular belief, electric vehicles boast significantly lower maintenance costs compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.

With approximately 20 moving parts in an EV versus over 2,000 in a combustion car, there are fewer friction-facing components, resulting in fewer points of failure or replacement. The absence of spark plugs, oil changes, timing belts or chains, exhaust systems, particulate filters, or clutches translates to substantially lower ownership costs for EVs.

Tusker Direct, a UK leasing company managing 16,000 EVs, estimates that their EV maintenance costs are 30% less than those of ICE vehicles. Furthermore, data from a survey by BookMyGarage.com conducted in February 2023 revealed that overall maintenance expenses, including MoT tests, servicing, and repairs, were up to 43% lower for EVs compared to other fuel types.

A study by the American automotive media, Consumer Reports, in October 2020, further supports this claim. The study found that the average cost of maintaining a gas-powered car in the US over a 200,000-mile lifetime amounted to $9,200, whereas for an EV covering the same distance, it was only $4,600, equating to a remarkable 50% saving.

Current data conclusively demonstrates that EVs are more economical to maintain than ICE vehicles, dispelling the misconception that they incur higher maintenance costs.