10 Best Electric Cars With The Lowest Maintenance Costs
It used to be that the major concern for car shoppers interested in going electric is finding a mechanic who knows his/her way around an EV. Most service providers already adept with combustion engines were at a loss of what to do with an automobile without an engine. People just took their electric cars to the dealership for servicing.
First off, do electric cars require a lot of maintenance? According to the US Department of Energy, “All-electric vehicles typically require less maintenance than conventional vehicles because the battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance. There are fewer fluids such as engine oil that require regular maintenance.” So, how much is the maintenance cost of electric cars? That depends to a large extent on the elasticity and quality of your warranty.
Besides mischievous mechanics, even the dealership will have trouble finding a lot to milk you for when servicing a fairly new EV. The reason is as simple as the simplicity of an EV’s e-motor. Electric motors have less than a fraction of the working parts in ICE-powered cars. With significantly fewer parts to wear and tear, it’s simpler and cheaper to fix and maintain an EV. By industry estimates, EVs ask for one-third of the cost of maintaining a gas-powered car. Bottom line: EVs require considerably less maintenance than their gas-powered counterparts. Below are the best with the lowest maintenance cost.
10 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric – Ten Years Maintenance Cost – $7,871
Edmunds described the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric as a fully electric subcompact SUV that offers excellent value and a sneaky fun driving experience. The current model, says US news, is luring auto shoppers with a “low starting price, wealth of standard equipment, and lively performance.”
It’s especially suitable for owners who wish to use it as a daily driver and don’t need plenty of interior or cargo room. CarEdge estimates the Hyundai Kona will cost about $7,871 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service, beating the industry average for popular SUV models by $1,262.
9 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid – Ten Years Maintenance Cost – $5,723
Tesla claimed the Model X Plaid has the most power and quickest acceleration of any SUV, the highest-performing SUV ever built. Tesla’s claim of the Model X as the safest, fastest, and most capable electric SUV on the road isn’t far-fetched, considering the SUV’s capability to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and complete the quarter-mile run in 9.9 seconds.
Those are extraordinary stats for an SUV of the Model X’s weight – 5,421 lbs. precisely. Indeed, the Model X is the fastest-accelerating production SUV today. By CarEdge’s estimates, a Tesla Model X will cost about $5,723 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This figure beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by a class-leading $9,991. It also has the lowest probability of needing a major repair in the first ten years (11.68%), which is27.88% better than similar vehicles in this segment.
8 2023 Kia Niro EV – Annual Maintenance Cost – $142
The Niro got fully redesigned to kick off its second generation in 2023. It now sports a more distinctive styling and a roomier interior. As with the previous generation, the Kia Niro still straddles the space between a wagon and a small SUV.
The nameplate offers three efficient modes of transport, including a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and pure electric. The Niro EV model offers a cheaper alternative to the brand’s larger EV6 without compromising much on the range and creature comforts. According to YourMechanic, the estimated cost to maintain and repair a Kia Niro EV ranges from $95 to $404, with an average of $142.
7 2023 Nissan Leaf – Annual Maintenance Cost – $748
The Nissan Leaf is a popular, affordable EV because it gets a lot right; great mileage of up to 215 miles of range, a quiet cabin, and plenty of safety plus driver-aid features that make navigating through traffic less tiring.
As usual, the 2023 Leaf is a ‘green’ hatchback offered in two trims – the S and SV Plus trim levels. According to RepairPal, “the average annual repair cost is $748, which means it has average ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are both much lower than other vehicles, so the LEAF is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.”
6 2023 Chevrolet Bolt – Annual Maintenance Cost – $238
Like the Kia Niro, Chevrolet redesigned the little Bolt for the 2022 model year. However, it’s still the same Bolt on the 2017 platform, praised for its surprisingly spacious interior, impressive range, and fun-to-drive nature.
The latest redesign added a nicer touch to the interior, although the ride quality could be better, same as the relatively slow DC fast charging. Ultimately, the new Bolt is a smart pick for a low-priced EV. RepairPal’s estimated cost to maintain and repair a Chevrolet Bolt EV ranges from $95 to $4496, with an average of $238.
5 2023 Tesla Model Y – Ten Years Maintenance Cost – $4,732
The first thing you should know about the 2023 Tesla Model Y is that it’s an all-electric compact SUV with an impressive 330 miles of range on a single battery charge. Keep that in mind as we await the results of the NHTSA’s investigation after it received two complaints that steering wheels detached in Model Y vehicles while people were driving.
In the meantime, the 2023 Model Y Performance will sprint from rest to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, use a lowered suspension, feature an upgraded sound system, and roll with more aggressive-looking 20-inch alloy wheels. CarEdge estimates a Tesla Model Y will cost about $4,732 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, beating the industry average for luxury SUV models by $10,982.
4 2023 Tesla Model S – Ten Years Maintenance Cost – $4,566
Edmunds called the Model S Plaid the Usain Bolt of the car world; “Line it up at a drag strip, and it’ll outsprint pretty much anything on the road today.” Add the hatchback’s practicality to the company’s expansive supercharger network, and the Model S is a compelling value for money.
CarEdge says a Tesla Model S will cost about $4,566 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, which beats the industry average for luxury sedan models by $7,395. According to RepairPal, the average Tesla maintenance cost is $832 per year. By CarEdge’s analysis, the Model S has a low8.64% chance of requiring a major repair during the first ten years, which is an impressive 30.92% better than similar vehicles in this segment.
3 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS – Annual Maintenance Cost – $262
Once upon a time, the major drawback or disadvantage of electric cars is their limited range. These days, EVs now have ranges well over 300 miles. Take the EQS, for example. A real-world test by Edmunds found that the electric S-Class beat the current Tesla Model S’s EPA estimate of 405 miles.
Performance and luxury EVs can also be relatively cheap to maintain. Edmunds ranked the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS #2 out of 6 for exotic performance electric cars. As an S-Class to the core, you can expect a quiet, full-featured cabin. YourMechanic estimates the cost to maintain and repair a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ ranges from $95 to $1697, with an average of $262.
2 2023 Tesla Model 3 – Ten Years Maintenance Cost – $3,587
Even though electric car repair costs are comparatively cheaper, the Tesla Model 3’s estimated $3,587 ten years repair and maintenance cost is on the lower side of the industry average for luxury sedan models by roughly $8,374, according to CarEdge.
The 2023 model starts at $42,990 for the base version with rear-wheel drive and a maximum range of 272 miles. The Performance variant starts at just under $54,000 and asks for an extra $15,000 to add the Full Self-Driving Capability package.
1 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 – Annual Maintenance Cost – $327
RepairPal doesn’t have enough data on the 2023 Ioniq to provide an accurate annual maintenance estimate for the model. However, YourMechanic estimates a Hyundai Ioniq annual repair and maintenance costs range from $95 to $20067, with an average of $327.
The Ioniq retreats to retro-themed styling to embody the comfortable and generously equipped interior. Some of Ioniq’s highlights include the user-friendly interior design, quick DC fast charging, dual-motor powertrain, and a comfortable ride.
Sources: CarEdge, RepairPal, Edmunds, YourMechanic
