Maintenance Costs for Electric Cars Compared to Gas
July 14, 2021 1:58 am Leave your thoughtsThinking about switching from a gas-powered car to an electric car? Many people wonder what the cost of routine care for electric cars will be. Right now, electric cars are typically more expensive than a gas-powered vehicle. However, there are federal tax rebates that can help bring down the cost—and experts predict that the cost of electric batteries will go down in the near future.
Here’s what you can expect to pay when you own an electric vehicle.
Fuel or electricity costs
Depending on where you live, the cost of gas can be astronomical—in some places, it’s reaching $6 per gallon in the summer of 2021. The national average is currently hovering around $3.11. Where you live makes a huge difference in how much you spend on fuel.
You’ll also pay more the more you drive. The average American puts about 15,000 miles on their car each year. AAA has calculated that the average cost of gas per year is about $1,255, while the cost of electricity to power an electric vehicle for the same mileage is $546. That’s less than half the cost of gas.
Car and Driver found that on average, it costs eight to nine cents per mile for gas-powered cars, while similar electric car models cost about six cents per mile.
Upkeep costs for electric vs. gas
When it comes to maintenance costs, electric vehicles are much cheaper to maintain. They don’t require oil changes or air filter replacements, which cuts down on the costs significantly. AAA estimates that it costs about $330 less, annually, to maintain an electric car.
Is an electric car right for you?
Ultimately, electric vehicles might be more expensive, but you’ll pay less annually for fuel and maintenance. Combined with federal tax rebates, that might just be the best way to keep your costs down on a permanent basis.
So, what do owners say? According to AAA, electric vehicle owners tend to drive more than they did when they had gas-powered vehicles. Those who were initially hesitant to buy an electric vehicle are very happy with their purchase—96 percent of electric vehicle owners would buy another one next time they’re in the market for a new car.
One of the biggest questions drivers have is whether the electric vehicle will have enough range when driving long distances. Believe it or not, 95 percent of owners say that they’ve never run out of power while driving, and 77 percent of owners who were once hesitant for that reason are no longer.
While it’s important for you to do research on your own, the overall feedback from electric car owners is that they’re quite happy with their purchase. If you regularly drive long distances, you’ll need to factor that into your decision. If, however, you drive under 40 miles per day and/or have regular access to charging stations, an electric vehicle might just be the budget-friendly solution you’re looking for.
For auto repair, maintenance and towing, call AMR Auto Repair & Towing today.
Categorised in: Electric Cars
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