Electric vehicles - which henceforth will be referred to as EVs - are becoming more and more popular out on the road as automakers strive to meet carbon neutrality goals in the next decade. However, a lot of drivers are still in the dark about how these eco-friendly cars work and what they can do for your drive time. Our Orlando Toyota experts are here to break down a big question we hear from our service and repair customers - is it more expensive to maintain and repair EVs, or are they cheaper to own than internal combusion engines?
The answer isn't as clearcut as you'd think. ICEs (internal combustion engines) can be pretty pricey to maintain and repair. While routine car care like oil changes and tire rotations is pretty affordable, if you're getting something other than routine auto service, you could be shelling out hundreds of dollars just to keep your car in good working order and keep its value high. Here are some points to consider when it comes to owning an ICE vehicle:
There are a ton of ICE vehicles still out on the road. This means that there's an abundance of parts available because these cars are common. It also means that there are quite a few auto technicians who know how to care for and repair them. This means that both parts and labor are easier to find and are cheaper to obtain because they're common. Remember, the more common something is, the cheaper it is to get (typically).
However, ICEs have a lot of moving parts. There are quite a number of belts, hoses, wires, seals, and other parts under the hood of your Orlando Toyota that can go bad and need to be repaired or replaced. More parts = more potential for repair bills more often.
Additionally, while there are quite a few ICE technicians out there, they have to be skilled in order to work with all of the aforementioned moving parts. This means their labor isn't cheap to begin with.
What about EVs, though? Are they cheaper to maintain and repair than ICE vehicles? Here are a few points to consider:
Upfront, it may seem like EVs are going to be more to maintain. After all, they do cost more than ICE vehicles because of their enhanced technology and due to the fact that they're not as readily available for purchase (fewer options mean higher prices). Additionally, not every auto repair tech out there knows how to work on EVs, which means you'll have fewer options in that respect, too.
But don't let that fool you. EVs can be cheaper to maintain and repair because unlike ICE vehicles, they don't have too many moving parts (fewer bells and whistles). Additionally, no internal combustion means a cleaner performance overall and less maintenance for what's under the hood, and regenerative braking helps to preserve your car brakes longer (so fewer maintenance and replacement appointments).
Have questions about EVs versus ICE vehicles? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see us! We're conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.
Comments