EV maintenance is usually lower. The phrase to delete from your budget is "maintenance-free."
All-electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and fewer fluids to change, and regenerative braking typically reduces friction-brake wear. 1
The upkeep that remains is ordinary but real: tires, cabin air filters, wipers, brake inspections, and suspension components still need attention. 2
Tires deserve their own line in the budget. Michelin points to two EV-specific pressures: battery weight loads the tires, while instant torque can increase wear during hard acceleration. Correct pressure, regular rotation, alignment checks, and smoother throttle inputs help. 3
AAA's 2025 study ranked the electric category lowest for maintenance, repair, and tire costs. The 11.04 cents-per-mile figure shown here is the study-wide benchmark, averaged over five years and 75,000 miles with one replacement tire set included, not an EV-specific quote. Actual costs vary by vehicle, trim, location, driving, and operating conditions. 4
Before you buy, get a local quote for the exact tire size, read the model-year service schedule, and pay for a used-car inspection. Then layer in your real public-charging routine. If the EV only works with best-case tire life and easy service access, compare a hybrid or gas car. A PHEV keeps conventional-engine maintenance because it still has a conventional engine. 1
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