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There was a study recently that came to the conclusion that EVs are already cheaper to own in the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/12/elect

There was a study recently that came to the conclusion that EVs are already cheaper to own in the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/12/electric-cars-already-cheaper-own-run-study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/12/electric... Is your context significantly different from that of the study? Or do you think there are unreasonable assumptions in there?

frereubu 7y ago
I think they were saying that electric cars are more expensive to buy. - the tax breaks aren't nearly as significant in the UK.
C1sc0cat 7y ago
With or with out the subsidy for the well of middle class?
michaelbuckbee 7y ago
Thanks for pointing this out, I hadn't seen that and think the data is really compelling as all comparisons were for the same model VW Golf with ev, hybrid, petrol and diesel versions. The one cost element not in the article (likely b/c of the time frame) was repair and maintenance costs - which I'd also suspect the EV cars to fare better with.
- tonyedgecombe 7y ago
  Interestingly you can't buy the electric or hybrid Golfs at the moment, they have been withdrawn from sale in the UK. My guess is the waiting list extends out until the new model is available.
- Gibbon1 7y ago
  Was rolling that over. I suspect repair and maintenance cost savings probably don't kick in very much until after the warranted period expires. So higher sales price means higher initial operating costs. Compare a couple hundred a month car payments with $30-40/month savings on fuel. So someone buying an EV today isn't going to save any real money for the first 5-6 years. Who ever buys the car on the used market will likely do well though.
  - d1zzy 7y ago
    > I suspect repair and maintenance cost savings probably don't kick in very much until after the warranted period expires. Warranty doesn't cover maintenance, like oil change, which EVs don't need. Other examples: engine air filter, timing belts, head gaskets, cylinder heads, spark plugs. Maybe you were thinking of car dealership maintenance packages that are purchased with a new car and cover (some of) that.
ptah 7y ago
Cheaper to own is irrelevant to most people. People that can't afford cars ride the bus, which ends up more expensive "to own". I want it to be cheaper to buy

frereubu 7y ago

I think they were saying that electric cars are more expensive to buy. - the tax breaks aren't nearly as significant in the UK.

C1sc0cat 7y ago

With or with out the subsidy for the well of middle class?

michaelbuckbee 7y ago

Thanks for pointing this out, I hadn't seen that and think the data is really compelling as all comparisons were for the same model VW Golf with ev, hybrid, petrol and diesel versions. The one cost element not in the article (likely b/c of the time frame) was repair and maintenance costs - which I'd also suspect the EV cars to fare better with.

tonyedgecombe 7y ago
Interestingly you can't buy the electric or hybrid Golfs at the moment, they have been withdrawn from sale in the UK. My guess is the waiting list extends out until the new model is available.
Gibbon1 7y ago
Was rolling that over. I suspect repair and maintenance cost savings probably don't kick in very much until after the warranted period expires. So higher sales price means higher initial operating costs. Compare a couple hundred a month car payments with $30-40/month savings on fuel. So someone buying an EV today isn't going to save any real money for the first 5-6 years. Who ever buys the car on the used market will likely do well though.
- d1zzy 7y ago
  > I suspect repair and maintenance cost savings probably don't kick in very much until after the warranted period expires. Warranty doesn't cover maintenance, like oil change, which EVs don't need. Other examples: engine air filter, timing belts, head gaskets, cylinder heads, spark plugs. Maybe you were thinking of car dealership maintenance packages that are purchased with a new car and cover (some of) that.

ptah 7y ago

Cheaper to own is irrelevant to most people. People that can't afford cars ride the bus, which ends up more expensive "to own". I want it to be cheaper to buy