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The Rundown
Interest for electric cars has been at an all-time high, possibly correlated with the high gas prices in the past few months. Unfortunately for buyers looking for a potential EV there are not many available. Although there is a lack of availability, there is a plethora of information on hybrids, plug in hybrids (PHEV), and electric vehicles (EV). With all the rising clamor about these engines it might be hard to find the proper information on what is going to happen after your purchase. Today we are going to specifically cover what maintenance costs can be expected after you purchase a PHEV. These hybrids offer the best of both worlds, electric range for in town and a combustion engine for those long-distance road trips. All your maintenance questions, and even those you did not think to ask, will be answered.
What is the cost I can expect to pay for maintenance?
Maintenance is reportedly much less on electric vehicles, mostly because they have less moving parts than a combustion engine, which begs the question, wouldn’t they be similar if not more on a PHEV? The answer is a welcome no, maintenance costs on a PHEV are almost halved. On a regular combustion engine one can be expected to pay on average almost $0.60 per mile, while on PHEVs owners can expect to pay $0.32 per mile on maintenance. This number is mainly reduced because the engine shares its time with an electric battery, and brake wear and tear is reduced by regenerative braking, meaning you do not need to change out your brakes or rotors as often, or change your oil as often.
Are there Hidden Costs to Owning a PHEV?
This is one of the most searched questions we can find. The answer is no, there are no hidden costs, but sometimes certain costs get downplayed. Battery replacements cost so much that oftentimes it is cheaper to get a new car. There is not much data on battery failure but they are supposed to last 200,000 miles, the same as a combustion engine. We have seen many reports of batteries failing significantly ahead of time, but there are no consistent reports of when batteries fail. The downside of batteries is that when it rains it pours. If there are failures on the battery, they are high priced.
Does the Charging Station Require Maintenance?
This is a question that not many people consider. Most PHEV and EV owners opt for a level 2 charging station, which cuts charging time in half. Level 2 charging stations are about $1,000 to $2,000 just for the installation. On top of that you can expect to pay $400 per year to maintain the charging station. This is something that many owners do not take into consideration as they purchase a new PHEV. Adding the charging station costs to the overall cost is important.
Summary
PHEVs look like great vehicles from all the reports, with lower maintenance costs and better gas mileage and greater ranges. This may be true, but keep in mind the PHEV still has a much higher upfront cost. The PHEV usually comes with highest costs due to the fact that it is offered only on higher level trims, and the add-on is a pricey option. While considering whether to own the PHEV, make sure to take these costs in consideration. Electric cars sound like a great vehicle choice, but they have many facets and all need consideration.