Comparing Vehicle Repair Costs: ICE, Hybrids, and EVs

Weighing the costs of making the switch from a traditional gas engine to an electric powertrain? There's a lot to consider to ensure the arbitrage makes sense for you financially. Of course, hybrids and electric vehicles offer plenty of value thanks to their overall fuel savings, but with higher upfront costs, it typically takes a couple of years for the fuel savings to pay the difference. What about repairs and maintenance? As a rule, EVs typically require less maintenance overall, but repairs can be costly. We'll break down what sort of hit you can expect when repairing and maintaining a hybrid or EV, then compare it to traditional gas repair costs. Whether you're driving a brand-new EV or a gas car with some extra miles on it, Bob Moore Collision Center is ready to assist with all your repair needs, from repairing your powertrain to buffing out dents. Schedule your free repair estimate in Oklahoma City today!

EV Repair Costs

Electric vehicles are, by far, the easiest and most cost-effective vehicles to maintain. No engine means no oil changes, transmission flushes, or belt replacements. Of course, you still want to ensure you have wiper fluid, and every now and then, you'll want to stop by for more coolant. However, aside from that, EV maintenance is limited to tires and brakes. While everyday maintenance is significantly lower than that of gas counterparts, EV repairs are a bit more costly. Damage to the motors or batteries is often difficult and expensive to repair, and in many instances, batteries need to be replaced entirely. So while your maintenance through the year is low, any damage will be more expensive than you'll find in traditional ICE cars. 

Hybrid Repair Costs

Hybrids take several different forms these days, but most hybrid systems use a motor that runs in the background to help improve fuel economy. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have more powerful motors and larger batteries, offering an all-electric driving range before switching to gasoline. Since an engine is still involved, you'll need regular oil changes and traditional maintenance intervals, which will make your maintenance costs higher than those of EV options. However, since the batteries and motors involved are smaller, repairs tend to be more in lock-step with traditional ICE repairs. If the battery or motor needs to be replaced, things may get more costly, but overall, repair costs are similar to conventional ICE powertrains. 

Gas Repair Costs

ICE cars need a bit more TLC to keep them in good working order. They require more frequent maintenance, such as oil changes, compared to EVs, and as a result, your annual maintenance costs are higher. However, since gas vehicles don't have expensive batteries, their repair costs are significantly lower. Of course, it can still be costly to repair your car, but when compared to replacing an EV battery, traditional ICE repairs are considerably more affordable. 

Get a Free Repair Estimate with Bob Moore Collision Center

No matter what kind of car you drive, EV, ICE, or Hybrid, Bob Moore Collision Center is equipped with all the tools and expertise needed to get your car right back in shape. Visit our body shop in OKC to get your vehicle repaired today!