How much do electric cars cost to maintain?​

Due to their expense when buying and the fact that they are still a relatively “new” automotive development, many people assume that electric cars will be much more expensive to maintain.

But EVs are actually far cheaper to maintain than their petrol and diesel counterparts – up to 70%* in fact – making them extremely attractive prospects when searching for your next vehicle. But what makes them so much cheaper?

The short answer is that electric cars have less components and moving parts, and therefore require less maintenance and replacement parts in their lifetime. The complex makeup of petrol and diesel engines make them more prone to faults, as they require several parts to keep them working correctly, for example: the exhaust, starter motor, radiators, fuel pumps, spark plugs, and much more.

Pure electric cars have just three main components – the on-board charger, inverter and electric motor, which is the only moving part. This means that servicing electric cars is much simpler, and therefore much cheaper. Much of general EV maintenance focuses on the brakes, tyres and suspension. The batteries do wear out over time, but most car manufacturers provide generous warranties for their batteries.

Brakes are another component that generally require a lot more maintenance in petrol and diesel cars. Electric vehicles use their brakes less aggressively, as when the driver presses the pedal, some of the slowing comes from an electric motor that acts as a generator to turn the car's momentum into electricity to recharge the battery.

But the benefits of electric vehicles don’t end there. There is a plethora of other benefits of owning an EV – including lower running costs, generous government grants, and the obvious fact that they are far kinder to the environment.

Considering switching to an electric car? Visit your local Johnsons dealership to discuss your needs further with our friendly team.

* Kee Resources, 2017.