EV Brands-Cost of Ownership

[antimatter]

I'm hoping folks who have owned other marques can lend me their wisdom. My wife's car is starting to get long in the tooth, and I've started doing some preparatory research regarding other EV brands (non-Rivian). One question that doesn't seem to be covered by reviewers is the cost of maintaining a particular brand of EV. I know BEVs don't need oil or transmission fluid changes, but they do require tires, brake fluid, and various tweaks to keep them running. I think we all know the Rivian requires regular tire rotations and mostly reasonable costs, as long as something doesn't break in the suspension or in the half-shafts. My wife is leaning towards the new Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt, but if I could swing a used Audi, BMW or Mercedes I'd love to do that with her. So, my question for folks who've owned other makes and models, how much did they cost to maintain? Porsche, Audi, BMW etc ICE cars are expensive to maintain, but how do their BEV versions stack up?

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[Rade]

We've been down that road; my husbands Nissan Rogue SL/AWD hit end of useful life after 10 years and over 160k miles just as the Federal tax credits were about to expire last September. We looked at everything, test drove everything (including the R1S) that was available and on dealer lots; most new, some lease returns with warranties. Kept the price point at $55k or less and something with 300+ miles in range. Remember, that was just before either any new models (Leaf or Bolt, or soon the R2S) were released. He settled on the Tesla Model Y (Juniper) with the large battery pack (for range), and did a 3-year lease on the vehicle.

We reserved an R2S, and the intention is that by the time the lease on the Y come to term, the R2S will be more... "baked in". Perhaps into a second gen by that point.

The Y has been an incredibly solid and remarkably comfortable vehicle. He's already put 6,200 miles on it commuting to work every day (5 months). He's looking at off-brand servicing for tire rotation (BJ's Wholesale Club; he confirmed they have the jack pucks for his car) in the next month or so. We're glad we went that route as shortly after needing to make the decision, it was like every car manufacturer who had EV's in the product line went squirrely and cancelled the lines (Aryia, Fords, etc.). We feel we would have been stuck with something already obsolete.

I am into year 2 with my R1T. So far, maintenance had run me $188 for the routine 7,500 mile inspection and servicing last October. I have 10,600 miles on the truck as of this morning.

Something just hit this past week; registration renewal. The State of Rhode Island is now placing DOT surcharges on all registrations for EV's, PHEV's and Hybrids (non-plug-in) to accommodate the lack of taxes gathered through the gas pump. For the Rivian (and Tesla later this year), that annual fee is currently set at $200. I would expect other states to follow suit.

We have L2 chargers set up on our garage for both vehicles and have the charging app set to alternate between the two on one circuit. Home charging is running $0.27kw, about $0.05 cheaper than using the DCFC's in region.

Good luck! Don't be afraid to test drive everything!

 

[mkg3]

...One question that doesn't seem to be covered by reviewers is the cost of maintaining a particular brand of EV. I know BEVs don't need oil or transmission fluid changes, but they do require tires, brake fluid, and various tweaks to keep them running...
......Porsche, Audi, BMW etc ICE cars are expensive to maintain, but how do their BEV versions stack up?

First thing you have to recognize is that the traditional automakers with their network of dealerships have shared interests.

The dealers make their money/profits on recurring service business. Selling vehicles is a one time income for their interest baring inventory debt. The service business, OTOH, is a very high margin profit center.

The traditional automakers EVs have to support the dealers business models.

Rivian, Lucid and certainly Tesla operate their own Service centers and low maintenance is one of the selling points. There are many stories of municipalities that bought and implemented fleet of EVs have lowered their transportation costs significantly.

Most EVs do not need anything other than tire rotation, replacement, windshield fluid refill and the cabin filter change. That's it. No brake pads or rotor service for well over 100k miles in most cases.

Our Tesla with 70k miles has had 2 new sets of tires (corresponding tire rotations every 5K miles free at Costco) and the cabin filter changed. That's it. Our Rivian 37K miles has had 1 set of new tires.(2 rotations free at Costco). Both vehicles have had their respective 12V batteries changed under the warranty.

So go look at other EVs and look at their service schedule, then make up your own mind.

 

[R1Tims]

I'm hoping folks who have owned other marques can lend me their wisdom. My wife's car is starting to get long in the tooth, and I've started doing some preparatory research regarding other EV brands (non-Rivian). One question that doesn't seem to be covered by reviewers is the cost of maintaining a particular brand of EV. I know BEVs don't need oil or transmission fluid changes, but they do require tires, brake fluid, and various tweaks to keep them running. I think we all know the Rivian requires regular tire rotations and mostly reasonable costs, as long as something doesn't break in the suspension or in the half-shafts. My wife is leaning towards the new Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt, but if I could swing a used Audi, BMW or Mercedes I'd love to do that with her. So, my question for folks who've owned other makes and models, how much did they cost to maintain? Porsche, Audi, BMW etc ICE cars are expensive to maintain, but how do their BEV versions stack up?

We have a Rivian 22 LE R1T, very early vin. bought it new. We have an EV home charger. Our off peak rates. between 7pm and 2pm, are 3 cents per KW. We are on our 3 set of tires. 1st 2 were OEM scorpions. Liked the look, hated the noise as they wore. Rotated every 7500. Free at Discount tire. 3rd set of tire are OEM Goodyear AT. Great tires. good look, no noise, better effenacy. Rotated every 7500 miles. again discount tire Free. Last rotation at 21K miles tread was 8/10 . They start with 10/10. I expect them to go another 20K. R1T has current 74K mile on it. The only thing Ive had to pay was tires.
We also have a 24 Ford Mach E GTPE. I purchased a 2nd set of all season tire/wheels for winter and swap them free at discount tire.

We are very happy with our EV's.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

I pretty much have the same story as all the above
22R1T, 60k miles, one set of tires, comprehensive checkup, wiper blades, air filter
21 Tesla 3, 87k miles, one set of tires, blades, filter, paid for replacement charge port out of warranty
Other than tires the biggest cost are accessories

 

[JMACCA]

I pretty much have the same story as all the above
22R1T, 60k miles, one set of tires, comprehensive checkup, wiper blades, air filter
21 Tesla 3, 87k miles, one set of tires, blades, filter, paid for replacement charge port out of warranty
Other than tires the biggest cost are accessories

How long did your 12 Volt batteries last and what did it cost to replace them?

 

[R1Tims]

How long did your 12 Volt batteries last and what did it cost to replace them?

Never had to replace them.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

How long did your 12 Volt batteries last and what did it cost to replace them?

No cost - it was done under warranty at 50k while service had it for a front motor inverter warranty replacement
Don’t know if batteries caused the inverter issue or they just changed them proactively

 

[VegasWeezy]

I'm hoping folks who have owned other marques can lend me their wisdom. My wife's car is starting to get long in the tooth, and I've started doing some preparatory research regarding other EV brands (non-Rivian). One question that doesn't seem to be covered by reviewers is the cost of maintaining a particular brand of EV. I know BEVs don't need oil or transmission fluid changes, but they do require tires, brake fluid, and various tweaks to keep them running. I think we all know the Rivian requires regular tire rotations and mostly reasonable costs, as long as something doesn't break in the suspension or in the half-shafts. My wife is leaning towards the new Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt, but if I could swing a used Audi, BMW or Mercedes I'd love to do that with her. So, my question for folks who've owned other makes and models, how much did they cost to maintain? Porsche, Audi, BMW etc ICE cars are expensive to maintain, but how do their BEV versions stack up?

We have a 2022 For Mustang Mach e, 30k miles in 3.5 years. The maintenance has been less than $300 during that time while following the suggested maintenance schedule. The tires have not needed to be replaced yet.

We also have a 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron, 31k miles in just under 3 years. Maintenance has been around $600 without a need for tire replacement.

The two vehicles cost almost exactly the same when brand new. The Mach e is a great vehicle that I love almost everything about. The Audi is an overrated vehicle that has absolutely nothing special about it. The range, charging speeds, software/tech, interior, and drivability are all far inferior to the Ford. I can’t wait to replace the Audi.

 

[antimatter]

We have a 2022 For Mustang Mach e, 30k miles in 3.5 years. The maintenance has been less than $300 during that time while following the suggested maintenance schedule. The tires have not needed to be replaced yet.

We also have a 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron, 31k miles in just under 3 years. Maintenance has been around $600 without a need for tire replacement.

The two vehicles cost almost exactly the same when brand new. The Mach e is a great vehicle that I love almost everything about. The Audi is an overrated vehicle that has absolutely nothing special about it. The range, charging speeds, software/tech, interior, and drivability are all far inferior to the Ford. I can’t wait to replace the Audi.

I'm sorry to hear that about the Audi. The E-Tron GT is one of those cars I think looks pretty cool, but wondered about the ownership experience.

 

[Dasoss]

We've been down that road; my husbands Nissan Rogue SL/AWD hit end of useful life after 10 years and over 160k miles just as the Federal tax credits were about to expire last September. We looked at everything, test drove everything (including the R1S) that was available and on dealer lots; most new, some lease returns with warranties. Kept the price point at $55k or less and something with 300+ miles in range. Remember, that was just before either any new models (Leaf or Bolt, or soon the R2S) were released. He settled on the Tesla Model Y (Juniper) with the large battery pack (for range), and did a 3-year lease on the vehicle.

We reserved an R2S, and the intention is that by the time the lease on the Y come to term, the R2S will be more... "baked in". Perhaps into a second gen by that point.

The Y has been an incredibly solid and remarkably comfortable vehicle. He's already put 6,200 miles on it commuting to work every day (5 months). He's looking at off-brand servicing for tire rotation (BJ's Wholesale Club; he confirmed they have the jack pucks for his car) in the next month or so. We're glad we went that route as shortly after needing to make the decision, it was like every car manufacturer who had EV's in the product line went squirrely and cancelled the lines (Aryia, Fords, etc.). We feel we would have been stuck with something already obsolete.

I am into year 2 with my R1T. So far, maintenance had run me $188 for the routine 7,500 mile inspection and servicing last October. I have 10,600 miles on the truck as of this morning.

Something just hit this past week; registration renewal. The State of Rhode Island is now placing DOT surcharges on all registrations for EV's, PHEV's and Hybrids (non-plug-in) to accommodate the lack of taxes gathered through the gas pump. For the Rivian (and Tesla later this year), that annual fee is currently set at $200. I would expect other states to follow suit.

We have L2 chargers set up on our garage for both vehicles and have the charging app set to alternate between the two on one circuit. Home charging is running $0.27kw, about $0.05 cheaper than using the DCFC's in region.

Good luck! Don't be afraid to test drive everything!

Here in Utah we have the option of paying a fixed EV fee at registration or paying a fee based on milage.

 

[dradam]

My cost of service has only been tire rotations. I just wanted to point out that out there is a time cost as well. Charging at home and never needing a gas station is a huge time savings ….. a time is money!!

 

[shicks]

I dont understand these people. I go through tires every 15k. Other than that, no maintenance. R1T just turned 100k.

 

[Time2Roll]

I had an original LEAF back in 2011. Zero maintenance for the three years I had it. Solid vehicle.

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