If you’re interested in buying a new car with a focus on the latest fuel-efficient technology, then you’re probably trying to choose between a plug-in hybrid and an electric vehicle (EV). So, which one is right for you? We go over the benefits and some not so good points to help you decide a little better.
With any PHEV (pluginhybrid), like the latest Mercedes C350 e and the fast selling BMW 330e you still have scheduled maintenance/servicing with air filter and oil/filter changes, spark plug changes, engine/gearbox oil change and wear and tear items.
With an EV gone are the oil changes and engine/gearbox wear items and only things like tires, brake pads and wiper blades come to mind.
Still you cannot be naïve into thinking that EVs are nearly, completely trouble free just because they lack a combustion engine of some form. Yes, you should not disqualify maintenance on an EV.
EVs still have body, chassis, paint, interior components, suspension, tires, climate control, power equipment, other servo motors, onboard computers, and a host of things that “can go wrong” like with any other petrol or diesel automobile.
EV parts will carry a price premium over comparable conventional cars as they are still not mass produced and even with the idea that they pay back in other ways – such as reduced operation costs, maintenance, or enhanced environmental benefits, the replacement costs for batteries and software/technology changes might override and savings that could be had.
Then let us not forget the cost of batteries and the installation price of replacement batteries.
