Electric car: maintenance cheaper than the combustion engine

Created: 05/24/2022, 06:07

By: Simon Mones

An ADAC study has shown that electric cars are cheaper to maintain.

The greatest cost, however, is the loss of value.

Munich – Opinions are divided on electromobility.

For some, the Stromer are just mobile electronic scrap, for others the form of mobility of the future.

In view of the impending e-fuel ban by the EU, nothing should stand in the way of the triumph of electric cars.

Especially since these are already cheaper to maintain than combustion engines.

The comparison portal Verivox had calculated that 100 kilometers with an electric car are significantly cheaper than with a diesel or petrol engine.

And the current car cost comparison of the ADAC sees the Stromer in front.

To do this, the Volkswagen models ID.3 and the Golf 1.5 eTSI were compared.

According to the ADAC, electric cars like the ID.3 are cheaper to maintain than combustion engines.

(Iconic image) © Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa

Electric car: maintenance cheaper than the combustion engine

"The higher acquisition costs of the electric version (36,960 euros, petrol engine: 32,460 euros) are more than compensated for by other cost factors such as insurance, vehicle tax, expenses for maintenance and repairs, tire wear, fuel and electricity costs and a flat rate for the car wash and - care,” emphasizes the ADAC.

The comparatively lower maintenance and operating costs of electric cars are also noticeable in the overall balance.

The ID.3 costs 47.2 cents per kilometer, while the Golf is almost ten cents more (56.9 cents).

"Even if you factor in a price reduction of 15 percent on the petrol Golf, the electric ID.3 ends up being cheaper," writes the ADAC.

Electric car: less depreciation than with a combustion engine

If you also take into account the €9,000 environmental premium – which is set to decrease in the coming years – the purchase of an electric car is around €5,000 cheaper than a petrol engine.

This also has an effect on the loss in value, which is correspondingly lower and, according to the ADAC, is the biggest cost factor.

also read

Do you know the "hidden" bottle opener in the car?

Does the steering wheel get too hot in summer?

Not anymore with this simple trick

You can find even more exciting car topics in the free newsletter from 24auto.de, which you can subscribe to right here.

However, the ADAC also criticizes that electric cars are still too expensive.

However, these would have to drop so far that they are only slightly above the combustion engines.

Then the cost balance for purely electrically powered vehicles will be even better without subsidies.

The ADAC calculations are based on an average holding period of five years with an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers.

Since fuel prices are currently fluctuating greatly, the average for the past three months was used for the calculation.