EV Maintenance Cost Calculator
No oil changes, no exhaust, brakes that last forever. But tires wear faster. Get the real maintenance budget for your EV — and the savings vs petrol.
EV-specific tires: $600-1,200 set.
EV maintenance / year
Petrol maintenance / year
Saved / year
Over yrs
Where EV maintenance differs
| Item | EV | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Oil changes | Never | Every ~15,000 km |
| Brake pads | 100,000-150,000 km | ~40,000-60,000 km |
| Tires | Faster wear (10-30%) | Standard wear |
| Coolant / gearbox fluid | Rare (100k+ km) | Transmission fluid |
| Annual service | $150-250 | $400-800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does EV maintenance cost?
EVs cost $200-400/year to maintain versus $600-1,200 for petrol. No oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regen braking extends brake life massively.
Do EVs need oil changes?
No. EVs have no engine oil to change. Some have gearbox/fluid checks but at far longer intervals (100,000+ km).
Do EV tires wear out faster?
Yes — EVs are heavier and torque-ier, so tires wear 10-30% faster. Budget $150-300/year for tire replacement on top of normal maintenance.
How long do EV brakes last?
Regenerative braking does most of the stopping, so brake pads often last 100,000-150,000 km — 2-3x longer than a petrol car. Many owners never change them.