What wears out
5 years of scheduled maintenance
A typical compact SUV at a repair shop. gas · electric
Over 5 years, scheduled maintenance costs about $4,101 for a gas SUV and $2,353 for an electric one.
Synthetic oil at a shop (quick-lube places charge less). EVs have no engine oil.
Generic interval; some makers specify longer.
EVs slow down mostly with regenerative braking, so pads last far longer. On salted WV roads, have EV brakes cleaned and lubricated yearly so they don't corrode from disuse.
EV-rated tires cost more and wear a bit faster (weight and instant torque).
EVs still have a small 12V battery for accessories; owners report replacing it sooner (Recurrent).
Total: gas $4,101 · electric $2,353 over 5 years.
Scheduled items only, at shop prices. Older cars add repairs as the miles climb — the planner accounts for that when you keep a car.
The big EV-only part: the battery
The main battery carries a warranty of 8 years / 100,000 miles (federal minimum; some makers offer 10/100k). Real-world data shows batteries losing about 2% of their range a year on average, and replacements outside recalls are rare. Regenerative brakingLifting off the pedal slows the car by turning the motor into a generator, putting energy back in the battery — so brake pads last much longer.All terms → is why EV brake pads last so much longer.
Sources
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/toyota/rav4/oil-change-cost
- https://repairpal.com/estimator/nissan/leaf/brake-pad-replacement-cost
- https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/there-are-12-volt-batteries-in-electric-vehicles
- https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/whats-so-special-about-used-ev-tires
- https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/EV-Ownership-Cost-Final-Report-1.pdf
- https://www.geotab.com/blog/ev-battery-health/
- https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/how-long-do-ev-batteries-last