EV Ownership Costs & Savings
The Real Costs of Electric Car Ownership
The average cost of owning an Electric Vehicle can vary depending on the circumstances. For the most part, owning an EV is less expensive than owning a traditional car due to the average cost of gas and routine maintenance costs. The electric cost can depend on where you are charging from and what kind of charger you are using, some fast charging stations may be more expensive, and the cost of installing an at-home charging station may be costly depending on the age of your home and the potential incentives available during the purchase of your vehicle. Additionally, Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership presents a unique opportunity for significant long-term savings compared to traditional cars. Understanding the ownership costs and potential savings can help you make an informed decision.
Service Cost
One of the many benefits of owning an Electric Vehicle is the limited maintenance needed. Electric Vehicles have few parts, no engine system, and impressive battery life. Necessary routine maintenance includes tire maintenance like inspections, rotations, alignment, and replacement. So every six months or so, we recommend bringing your EV to one of our Service Centers for a complimentary inspection.
At this point, we’ll also inspect your brake system and pads as well as replace any air filter and refill your windshield wiper fluid. We can also ensure that your EV has the latest software and that all safety systems are properly working.
Energy Cost
The cost of recharging your EV can depend on a variety of factors like how much you drive, what kind of EV you own, and how much you pay for residential electricity. Let's say you drive your EV 1,000 miles each month and pay about 10 cents for each kilowatt-hour of electricity, your at-home EV recharging bill will be $25 to $33 per month (based on the calculation of 3-4 driving miles equaling one kilowatt-hour).
Even if you need to double your electric rate to about 20 cents per kilowatt-hour your recharging costs would still only be $50-$66 each month. This monthly estimate pays for itself as quickly as you would need to buy a full tank of gas during the current climate.
Energy Cost vs Savings
The cost of recharging your EV can depend on various factors, such as driving habits, the type of EV you own, and residential electricity rates. Let's break it down:
Energy Cost: The cost of recharging your EV at home depends on your electricity rates and usage. For example, if you drive your EV 1,000 miles each month and pay about 10 cents for each kilowatt-hour of electricity, your at-home EV recharging bill will be $25 to $33.
Energy Savings: Comparing the cost of electricity to gasoline prices in each state provides valuable insights into the potential savings of EV ownership. By leveraging lower electricity rates and reducing reliance on gasoline, EV owners can save significantly over time.
Tax Breaks and Incentives
In addition to fuel and maintenance savings, EV owners may qualify for various tax breaks and incentives, further reducing the overall cost of ownership. Explore EV Incentives information to learn more about available incentives in your area.
Energy Savings by State
Calculating energy savings based on average gas prices in each state provides valuable insights into the financial benefits of EV ownership. By comparing the cost of electricity to traditional gasoline prices, consumers can assess potential savings specific to their location. Here are the estimated annual fuel savings by state (According to SmartAsset’s 2022 study):
Alabama
$1,775
Alaska
$1,848
Arizona
$2,147
Arkansas
$1,814
California
$2,168
Colorado
$1,712
Connecticut
$1,343
Delaware
$1,986
Florida
$1,908
Georgia
$1,746
Hawaii
$1,196
Idaho
$2,159
Illinois
$2,107
Indiana
$1,919
Iowa
$1,843
Kansas
$1,694
Kentucky
$1,857
Louisiana
$1,861
Maine
$1,650
Maryland
$1,897
Massachusetts
$1,417
Michigan
$1,732
Minnesota
$1,728
Mississippi
$1,774
Missouri
$1,857
Montana
$1,959
Nebraska
$1,875
Nevada
$2,303
New Hampshire
$1,552
New Jersey
$1,909
New Mexico
$1,783
New York
$1,722
North Carolina
$1,906
North Dakota
$1,909
Ohio
$1,882
Oklahoma
$1,795
Oregon
$2,375
Pennsylvania
$1,974
Rhode Island
$1,401
South Carolina
$1,764
South Dakota
$1,835
Tennessee
$1,873
Texas
$1,796
Utah
$2,104
Vermont
$1,722
Virginia
$1,916
Washington
$2,443
West Virginia
$1,923
Wisconsin
$1,715
Wyoming
$1,925
Alabama
$1,775
Alaska
$1,848
Arizona
$2,147
Arkansas
$1,814
California
$2,168
Colorado
$1,712
Connecticut
$1,343
Delaware
$1,986
Florida
$1,908
Georgia
$1,746
Hawaii
$1,196
Idaho
$2,159
Illinois
$2,107
Indiana
$1,919
Iowa
$1,843
Kansas
$1,694
Kentucky
$1,857
Louisiana
$1,861
Maine
$1,650
Maryland
$1,897
Massachusetts
$1,417
Michigan
$1,732
Minnesota
$1,728
Mississippi
$1,774
Missouri
$1,857
Montana
$1,959
Nebraska
$1,875
Nevada
$2,303
New Hampshire
$1,552
New Jersey
$1,909
New Mexico
$1,783
New York
$1,722
North Carolina
$1,906
North Dakota
$1,909
Ohio
$1,882
Oklahoma
$1,795
Oregon
$2,375
Pennsylvania
$1,974
Rhode Island
$1,401
South Carolina
$1,764
South Dakota
$1,835
Tennessee
$1,873
Texas
$1,796
Utah
$2,104
Vermont
$1,722
Virginia
$1,916
Washington
$2,443
West Virginia
$1,923
Wisconsin
$1,715
Wyoming
$1,925
Electric Vehicle Type
FAQs
- Fewer parts
- Regenerative braking
- Battery life
- Cost efficiency
EVs have overall lower fueling costs and most have lower maintenance costs because they have more simple components and don’t require fluid changes or tune-ups.
Not only are gasoline costs non-existent and maintenance generally less frequent, but available government tax credits for purchasers can save you even more time and money. Learn more about these available incentives.
- Lower Fuel Costs: EVs primarily rely on electricity for power, which is often significantly cheaper than gasoline on a per-mile basis. This translates to substantial savings on fuel costs over time, especially as gasoline prices fluctuate.
- Reduced Maintenance Expenses: Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs have fewer moving parts and no complex systems like transmissions or exhaust systems. This simplicity results in lower maintenance requirements and costs over the vehicle's lifetime.
- Tax Incentives and Rebates: Many governments offer incentives, tax credits, and rebates to encourage the adoption of EVs. These incentives can significantly reduce the initial purchase price of an EV and contribute to long-term savings.
- Longer Lifespan: EVs tend to have longer lifespans than traditional vehicles due to simpler mechanics and fewer components prone to wear and tear. This means less frequent replacement of major components, such as engines and transmissions, leading to additional cost savings.
- Regenerative Braking: EVs often utilize regenerative braking systems, which convert kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration. This feature not only improves energy efficiency but also reduces wear on traditional brake systems, resulting in lower maintenance costs.
The following states and the District of Columbia have the highest estimated annual EV savings:
- California: $2,168.00
- District of Columbia: $2,071.00
- Washington: $2,443.00
- Oregon: $2,375.00
- Nevada: $2,303.00
- Arizona: $2,147.00
It is recommended to check your tire pressure and wear monthly, and schedule maintenance for a tire rotation every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
EVs may cost more depending on what kind of power source they use. A plug-in hybrid’s cost can depend on your electrical bill and how often you charge it using public charging or at an at-home charging station. A regular hybrid uses regenerative braking which doesn’t cost money but ends up being more expensive as it relies more on gasoline.
Some of our vehicles that use plug-in charging come with complimentary charging through Electrify America. You simply have to sign up on their website and then access limited free charging at your nearest Electrify America location.
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