Most Electric cars still cost more to charge than to fill up with gas

question is ROI.

how long will it take to recoup the initial cost of an EV?

while I do believe EV is cheaper by the mile, it isn’t when it comes time to put 22k into it for a new battery.

 

True.

I bought one for the wife as a primary short hauler. Just got myself a super low mileage hybrid last year. They are almost a pair cause the electric would not make sense for us without the hybrid and F600 as alternates.

I am staring at 60 on the horizon so figure I will need to replace the pair once.

 

True. But I was already in that battery life cycle thing.

Which is why I traded the wife's Prius in on the electric. Didn't want to buy a new battery for it, which would have needed to happen in the near future.

Also why we will be trading off the electric for something else before the pack fails (though it did come with a 10yr 100k mile factory warranty).

LOL should check with the dealer on current cost of a new pack.

 

look at it this way, even if you trade in before replacement time, I can drive an ICE for 200k miles prior to it needing major repairs.

that’s 50k for 200k miles vs 50k for 100k miles.

currently and for the foreseeable future an ICE vehicle is cost effective.

Then there’s the whole slave to the company part where you must always be in debt when purchasing a new vehicle every 7-10 years.

 

Guess I'm one of the fortunate few. I have not had a car loan in about 20 years. If I can't pay cash I don't need it.

 

Wife's '03 Prius had to replace the battery at about 80k miles was about $4k. Did that then and the replacement lasted about a 100k miles before the computer failed. Traded it in on '16.

We traded off the '16 Prius at about 150k. The lifespan of the batteries has improved a bunch over the years.

And as @buddyd157 pointed out, Probability of me needing to replace the pack? I'll probably be either in no condition to drive or dead by then.......

 

Here is something I wrote yesterday on Evs. Relevant here as it has the true cost to charge on mine.

I don’t know that comparing tool batteries is fair. I suspect different technologies but whatever. I have over 140000 miles in teslas. Right at 100 in one which got smashed by a drunk driver and totaled when parked. Second one has 47000 miles.
Does the heat draw range yes it does ac not that I have noticed one bit. Having said that if it does I would also say ice have the same issue. I would also say have you ever got exactly the epa rated mileage on your regular car? I know I have not. Range anxiety absolutely is real. Infrastructure is not up to everyone switching I agree 100%. We have one as my wife gets princess parking at work and free charging there as well. Cost to run is incredible it is so low.(4 miles of range per kw)Cool factor is awesome as is the acceleration. Would I want one as my only car- heck no. Once range gets to a real 500 miles then possibility for me. I have driven one from south Florida to Texas (1100 miles) at the height of covid was it easy. Mostly yes. LakeCharles was a bit of a pain. Do I think Tesla is the best no (though that’s what I have). Do I think the chargers are the best absolutely. Do I think them opening up the chargers is a mistake- yes that is the biggest edge they have/had.

Now Tesla truck yeah no. I think the middle driver position is weird and the range etc does not work. For most folks for their car does it work yes 99% of the time.
Do I consider myself an expert no but do I have some actual experience yes. Do I expect some to be negative -how about I will be shocked if not.

oh and the 100k one had lost 12% of its range for the record.

 

if the numbers work for you that’s all that matters.
Just want to point out that a Prius is a hybrid and can’t be used to evaluate ev’s vs ICE’s.

 

True.

There is a considerable overlap in Hybrid batteries and EV batteries. The past hybrid battery developments are an indicator of what we can anticipate for EV batteries in the future.

 

I’ve been eyeing a Nissan Leaf ($30000) for a daily driver. I’d only have to charge it every three days and if I added 6 more solar panels ($3000) to my existing battery bank I could charge it from there. So basically free. The panels also feed the grid so no home electric bill.