Electric car owners save big: UK study shows 30% lower maintenance costs

When people purchase cars, they essentially sign up for maintenance, which costs money. However, according to a new British study, EV owners can expect to save up to 30 percent on ownership costs compared to driving diesel or petrol vehicles.

The Car Expert, powered by Clear Vehicle Data, surveyed over 600 new and near-new cars on the UK's roads in 2025. Maintenance costs for EVs were lower 95 percent of the time than for comparable fossil fuel-powered automobiles. The research concluded that EV servicing and repairs, on average, took £4,022 out of the pocket of EV owners, while traditional vehicles required £5,709 over a five-year period.

The Car Expert evaluated upkeep costs for the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and the fully-electric Mini Countryman. The former saved owners 31 percent in the first three years and 32 percent over the next two. The latter was 22 percent cheaper to maintain over five years.

Electric vehicles do not have as many moving parts as ICEs, leading to a lower likelihood of parts breaking down and needing replacements. EVs famously do not require an oil change, which is a fact of life for diesel and petrol cars.

Clear Vehicle Data's managing director said, "We break down servicing costs by every imaginable vehicle configuration – fuel type, body style, mileage, trim level, and more. Our data shows a clear trend: electric vehicles consistently cost less to maintain, and that gap remains significant in 2025."