Owners of electric vehicles can save a little money and protect the planet at the same time, according to new research from Consumer Reports.
Because pure electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than their gas-powered counterparts, electric cars need less maintenance, CR says. In addition, electric vehicles typically cost less to repair when they do break down.
CR surveyed hundreds of thousands of its members and found that those who own EV and plug-in hybrids pay half as much to repair and maintain their vehicles as those with gas-powered vehicles. According to CR:
“Consumers who purchase an electric car can expect to save an average of $4,600 in repair and maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle compared with a gasoline-powered car, CR’s study shows.”
Reasons that electric vehicles are less expensive to maintain include:
- Cooling systems last longer and need less maintenance because there is no danger of contamination by engine oil or combustion byproducts.
- Electric vehicles and some hybrids use resistance from the electric motors to slow the vehicle. That means less wear on brake pads.
- Oil changes and engine tuneups are not necessary.
CR says that as electric vehicles age and mileage counts climb, the cars can become more expensive to repair and maintain. But newer models are improving — including featuring better batteries — and may be less expensive to repair as they age.
Getting a good deal on a car
If you’re in the market for a car — electric or otherwise — there is one place in particular you might want to shop. To find out more, read “This Is the Cheapest Place to Buy a Used Car.”
Once you have a new vehicle, take good care of it. You can save thousands of dollars simply by keeping that car on the road for as long as possible. So, check out the following stories to learn how to keep your car running for years — or even decades — to come:
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