10 Electric Cars With The Highest Maintenance Costs

While the promise of electric car ownership suggests maintenance to be a thing of the past as oil changes, fuel filters, and timing belts are no longer a part of the package, they still have certain running costs. EVs have cooling systems and parts that wear over time in the brakes and suspension, so maintenance is still required. Regenerative braking significantly reduces the use of brakes and, therefore, makes them last much longer, but tire use is another story. The batteries that provide power for the motors add substantially more weight than what is seen with conventional automobiles. EVs require specific tires that can be expensive and also wear out faster than others, adding to running costs. EVs also have suspensions and cooling systems to attend to, so EV owners don't get off the hook for maintenance completely.

If you are considering an EV, you should know of the costs associated to go along with any potential savings. Some maintenance and repairs will be needed over time. They may have fewer moving parts, but electronics can be fragile and finicky, requiring professional repair from time to time, and often at a higher labor rate performed by the few techs currently trained on electric cars. This factors into how much you may spend while owning an EV, which makes it relevant in considering the total running costs. Although the total pool of electric-powered cars is small but growing, these models have the highest maintenance costs over a typical ownership period.

EV trailblazer Tesla set the stage for today's proliferation of electrically-powered models. Its model X SUV broke the mold by introducing a family car with doors that would look more at home in a Star Trek episode. Its oddly-hinged falcon wing doors look much like something on a shuttlecraft, which makes them also appear to be more of a party trick than a practical point of ingress and egress. In practice, they are practical and useful. But when they break, expect a high repair bill.

Aside from the doors, the Tesla Model X costs are in line with other Tesla models. The drivetrains and platforms among all models are similar and share technologies. Tesla vehicles have relatively reliable drivetrains, but problems with fit and finish can be frustrating and require a Tesla Service Center, which may be harder to find than for other brands. The Edmunds estimates for the model X in the base model or Plaid designation assume repairs of $2,295 and maintenance costs of $2,887.

With much of the early EV adoption coming to customers as high-end luxury cars too expensive for most people to own, electric adoption has been slow for the masses. Chevrolet has helped to change that by providing a well-rounded EV at an affordable price with its Bolt EV and EUV. For an affordable model, the Bolt has a lot going for it. The Bolt is a small and attractive crossover that provides lively driving and excellent range for its class at 259 miles. However, its fastest charging options are way too slow and the architecture on which it is built is incompatible with GM's Ultium platform that will underpin future EV models across the company brands, and that is why the Bolt is going away for the next model year.

So long as you can tolerate the slow charging and can make the most of topping off the battery at home, the Bolt can provide economical driving in a modern and pleasing little package. But most folks know that a lower price of entry does not guarantee future savings when talking about automobiles. This appears to be the case with the Bolt as Edmunds predicts future investment in your Bolt ahead. With repairs at $793 and maintenance up to $1,848, the Bolt isn't breaking the bank like some others, but will still need your attention from time to time.

For years Hyundai was seen as a second-tier foreign manufacturer. However, that image was tossed aside some time ago and the Korean carmaker today is a formidable competitor. Hyundai has been raising the bar for many years with its conventional automobiles, but today, the company looks to set the standard for electric cars. Several new EVs built on dedicated electric platforms are being added to the Hyundai lineup, but the company also offers a few electric versions of gas-powered cars, including the Kona.

The Kona has been around a few years but is receiving a generous facelift for the 2024 model year, bringing its styling up a notch with a noticeable makeover. The new Kona will be in line with other styling directions happening at the company including the digitally-inspired led grids other Hyundais are receiving. At around $35,000, the Kona is a value-driven proposition and the base model's 133 horsepower driving the front wheels only is part of that value packaging. The Kona will not grab headlines for surpassing benchmarks but will ease the transition to electric mobility for many by providing a familiar environment in which to move toward an electric future. However, owners should be aware of upcoming maintenance bills, as KBB lists average maintenance costs to be about $1,224, but data for repairs has not yet been compiled. If it is like other Hyundai models, expect repairs to come in under $1,000.

The first "affordable" Tesla came as a down-sized sedan offering much of what the Model S did but with a design leaning even more heavily on minimalism. While the Model 3 is Tesla's cheapest vehicle, starting at $42,990, it would be hard to classify it as cheap overall. Even so, you receive a lot for the money, including breakneck acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, up to 480 horsepower, and an optional dual-motor AWD system. It's a nimble little car and it doesn't hurt that the interior space is decidedly upscale with forward-thinking technology.

The Model 3 shines with its range of 358 miles, an industry leader that other carmakers are trying to match. Some have caught up to Tesla, but not with their entry-level models. Tech is prominent in this car and it offers such things as Autopilot to guide you on your journey nearly hand-free at times, but also drops most physical controls found inside a car for alternates on the large center screen. There is no doubt the Tesla Model 3 is an excellent car, but if you were to own one, be prepared for some costs. Edmunds predicts maintenance to run about $2,192 with repairs slightly higher at $2,295.

With the Plaid, Tesla introduced us to an epically fast family car — and also to steering with a yoke instead of a wheel. While the speed is an incredible experience every time, the yoke is a bit less exciting, and not everyone has warmed up to it. But the Plaid delivers in connectivity and tech, and it can hit 60 mph in an astonishing 2.4 seconds. Whether you can play video games or browse the internet when parked hardly matters when considering just how fast it really is. When you're not pushing this car to its limits, you can expect a battery range of more than 300 miles per charge.

Most ultra-high-performance cars come with expensive maintenance and repairs. The good news for Tesla Plaid owners is that their ultra-fast car does not require any particularly expensive maintenance when compared to a regular model. So, if you buy a flagship Tesla car model, Edmunds expects you will spend about $2,675 in maintenance and $2,295 in repairs.