Report: EV Owners Spend 50 Percent Less on Service
Photo: Chevrolet
If you believe that electric vehicles cost significantly less to maintain than their gas-powered counterparts, you now have some new research to back your position. Consumer Reports has just confirmed that EV owners pay half as much on service and repair during their vehicle’s lifespan.
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The data
Photo: geralt
Consumer Reports arrived at this statistic after analyzing data from its 2019 and 2020 reliability surveys. Not only did the publication break down the maintenance/repair cost in terms of lifetime savings, but it also calculated the cost per mile.
Battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles cost an average of $4,600 to maintain/repair during their shelf life, while internal combustion engine vehicles cost $9,200. BEV and PHEVs cost $0.03/mile while ICE vehicles cost $0.06/mile.
Consumer Reports endorses EVs
Associate director of CR’s Auto Test Center, Gabe Shenhar, articulates the cheaper servicing needs of EVs. “Electrics just don’t need as much maintenance as gas-powered cars, and even though repairs won’t necessarily be less expensive, they are less frequently needed.”
Senior transportation policy analyst Chris Harto expressed that the low service costs associated with EVs will help give consumers more incentive to go with an EV over a conventional model. “These savings are going a long way to offset the upfront costs for consumers.”
The push to sway consumers
Granted, EVs have some ways to go before their sticker prices are equivalent to those of fuel-powered models. But the lower maintenance costs give those on the fence another reason to go with electric rather than conventional when buying their next vehicle. (Besides the most obvious reason, of helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions each time you get behind the wheel.)
Increase your knowledge of hybrid and electric car service needs. Then discover how cold weather impacts EVs so you can be a more informed EV owner (or driver).
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.