Electric Car Service Costs: How Do They Compare to Petrol or Diesel Cars?

How much does it cost to service an electric car? How do costs compare to servicing a petrol or diesel vehicle? Our guide will explain all you need to know. Do check out the table at the end of the article, which compares an average electric cars’ maintenance costs to those of petrol/diesel cars - and gives you an idea of annual costs for both vehicle types.

If you're used to driving a petrol or diesel car, you'll know that servicing and maintenance costs can be substantial.

But is it the same story with electric vehicles?

In Short: No

Because EVs have fewer moving parts and fewer components likely to wear out, they are simpler and cheaper to maintain overall.

You may be thinking: "That's all well and good while the warranty is still live, but what happens after that?"

The truth is, the savings often continue beyond the warranty period, with servicing focused mainly on keeping the battery, electric drivetrain, and high-voltage systems running smoothly.

Common EV Maintenance Tasks

Cooling System Fluid

This is essential for ensuring the battery pack doesn't overheat. A well-maintained battery will:

• Have a longer lifespan
• Retain better range
• Stay within safe operating temperatures

The cooling system also protects other high-voltage components like:

• The inverter/DC converter (which can otherwise suffer thermal shutdowns)
• The electric motors
• The onboard charger
• In some cases, the cabin climate control system (if systems are integrated)

Cooling systems may use liquid or air, depending on the vehicle’s design.

Heat Pump Maintenance

Many EVs use heat pumps for efficient cabin heating and cooling. These systems usually require annual servicing, and are an unavoidable EV servicing cost.

What Still Needs Replacing?

Just like petrol or diesel cars, electric vehicles still require periodic work on items like:

• Brake discs
• Brake pads
• Fluids
• Suspension (shocks and springs, or more complex air systems)

However, since regenerative braking reduces wear on brake components and fewer fluids are used, maintenance is less frequent overall.

Battery Replacement: Should You Worry?

It’s true that EV battery replacement is expensive, often costing several thousand pounds. But:

• Replacements are rare
  
  
• Most battery packs last 8 to 15 years
  
  
• Many are covered by warranties for 8 years or 100,000–150,000 miles
  

A battery may need replacing due to:

• An accident
• A manufacturing fault
• Severe degradation (i.e. a significant drop in range)

Still, this is no different from petrol/diesel cars: if a combustion engine fails out of warranty, replacement costs can be just as high, and buying a new car is often more economical.

Dealership vs Local Garage Electric Car Service Costs

As with traditional vehicles, main dealerships in the UK are usually more expensive than local garages.

This is particularly true for EVs because:

• Dealerships tend to have more EV-trained technicians
  
  
• They are more likely to have the necessary diagnostic tools
  
  
• Booking a service may be easier, but costlier
  
  

That said, EV knowledge and certification is growing among independent garages, which could drive prices down and offer more servicing options in the near future.

Bottom Line

While EV battery replacement is a potential cost, the overall maintenance burden of owning an EV is lower than for petrol or diesel vehicles.

With fewer moving parts, less frequent servicing, and fewer fluid changes, your long-term savings could be significant.

EV Servicing Costs vs Petrol/Diesel

Here’s a guide to electric car maintenance costs vs those of a a petrol/diesel vehicle: