When it comes to purchasing a new car, there are so many things to take into consideration: buy or lease? New or used? How does one model compare to another? With thousands of options out there, it’s no wonder that buying a car can result in stress. And with electric vehicles hitting the market in droves, it adds an extra layer to the process if you’re purchasing for personal use or your company’s fleet.
If you’re considering buying a vehicle, it’s important to factor in the long-term cost and benefits of the model, which includes maintenance and the cost to keep it fueled or charged. When it comes to these long-term considerations, do electric cars actually save you money?
The short answer is yes, but it goes much further than just saving money at the gas pump.
How Can Electric Cars Save You Money?
Fuel Savings:
When it comes to keeping the car running, the cost to charge an electric vehicle far outweigh traditional gas. Consumer Reports found that in the first year alone, EVs can save on average $800* in the first year (or 15k miles) compared to traditional 2- and 4-door cars alone. These savings only increase versus SUVs (average of $1,000 savings) and trucks (average of $1,300). Over the lifetime of the vehicle (around 200,000 miles), owners can save an average of $9,000 versus internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, $11,000 versus SUVs and a whopping $15,000 versus trucks on gas.
One of the big reasons for the cost discrepancy is that, not only is electricity less expensive than gas, those who own EVs for personal use and fleets often charge their vehicles during “off-peak” hours—overnight and on weekends when there is less demand for electricity. The cost during off-peak hours depends on your location, but the price typically drops when you choose to use electricity for appliances and vehicles between 10 pm and 8 am.
The US Department of Energy also reports that, while gas prices can fluctuate wildly over time and even day to day (or even hour to hour during moments of difficult social, political and economical events), the price for electricity is stable. The price for charging over the lifespan of the vehicle is likely to stay steady.
Incentives:
Another aspect that is location-specific but can save you money when choosing an electric vehicle over standard is federal, state and local incentives for EV owners. Both the federal government and state governments typically provide credit incentives, meaning you can claim an electric vehicle on your taxes and receive a tax break. The amount and time period differ, so it’s important to research your region. We’ve provided a Tax & Rebates resource guide to help you.
Local utilities may also provide incentives for electric vehicle owners and fleets, giving you a break on electricity costs. For more information regarding whether your utilities company provides incentives, it’s suggested that you contact them directly.
For commuters and fleets, other incentives may exist as well. In many cities, tollways and carpool lanes allow for EV use at a reduced cost or free.
Maintenance and Repair:
Maintenance is an important requirement for any vehicle if you’re hoping to get long-term use out of the car. For gas-powered vehicles, regular oil changes are needed every 3-6 months typically to ensure parts stay lubricated to reduce friction. Because electric vehicles don’t have the same parts, they don’t require oil changes. Additionally, they contain fewer moving mechanical parts in general, therefore requiring less lubrication maintenance, and because they use antifreeze for their AC cooling systems, AC-recharging isn’t necessary.
According to another Consumer Reports study, electric car owners save an average of $4,600 in repairs and maintenance over the lifespan of the car compared to vehicles that require gas.
Charging Times and Distance
One of the biggest concerns people have about purchasing an electric vehicle is charging. With advancements in technology, EVs can now go much further—often surpassing 250 miles on a single charge—than ever before. What’s more: With Level 2 charging, like the type you get with EvoCharge EVSE units, you can charge your vehicle 8x faster than standard Level 1 charging that comes with your vehicle, eliminating concerns about the time it takes to get back on the road.
If you’re ready to enjoy how much money electric cars can save you, check out the latest in EvoCharge EVSE technology for residential or fleet use.
*The Consumer Reports fuel cost model uses $3.02 per gallon as the average over the next 10 years.