Electric vehicles are more expensive than gas-powered cars on the market, but are they worth the extra cost? Some would argue that it is, especially when you consider the lifespan of these cars as well as the service costs that you can anticipate while owning an electric car. The goal of this article is to help you better understand the lifespan and service costs associated with electric vehicles so that you can make an informed decision for yourself.
Lifespan of Electric Vehicles
The first part of this to address is the lifespan of the electric vehicle, more specifically the battery. These cars don’t have an engine as you know it, rather they are powered off of an electric battery. Electric batteries can be extremely expensive to replace, which is why it’s important to know how long these batteries last. The good news is that the average lifespan of these batteries is around 100,000 miles. There are things that you can do that will help extend the longevity of these batteries, such as not charging the battery consistently to 100%. It’s also important to focus on the warranty offered on the car’s battery, should something happen to it before the 8-year/100,000 milestone.
Maintenance and Service Costs Associated with Electric Vehicles
A common misconception is that electric vehicles are more costly to maintain and service than gas-powered cars. However, this isn’t the case at all. In fact, electric vehicle owners tend to pay half the amount to service and maintain their cars when compared to gas-powered car owners. There are a few reasons for this. For one thing, electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than gas-powered cars do, which means that they require less maintenance. You may pay more upfront, but you definitely save a significant amount in the long-term when you factor in maintenance costs and filling up the tank.
To put this into perspective, there was some research done that looked into the difference between the two car options in their 5th year of the vehicle’s life. At this point, there are signs of wear and tear that need to be fixed to keep the car running properly. It can cost around $1,200 to repair and maintain gas-powered vehicles at this point. This is a significant difference when compared to the $900 cost of repair and maintenance for the electric vehicle. You don’t have to worry about things like oil changes and there is less wear and tear on parts like the brake pads.
As you can see, electric vehicles do cost far less than gas-powered vehicles to maintain and repair.
Conclusion
While electric vehicles do cost more than gas-powered cars, you are actually going to save money over the course of owning this car. There is less maintenance and repairs required, and you don’t have to worry about the rising gas prices when filling up your car. Many think that owning an electric car is a wise investment because you will save a lot of money in the long run.
