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The drivetrain in an EV has fewer components, but you're right about the rest of the car. But it doesn't really matter. Internal combustion engines made in the
by throwawayboise 5y ago
The drivetrain in an EV has fewer components, but you're right about the rest of the car. But it doesn't really matter. Internal combustion engines made in the last 20 years are very reliable. Almost all the weaknesses have been identified and compensated for. I have a Ford Focus that's nearly 20 years old, it still starts and runs like a new car. Has never had a major engine or transmission issue, just a water pump and an alternator or two.
Will electric motors be more reliable than internal combustion engines? Probably. But it's a difference that's not going to be noticable by most people.
- cheschire 5y agoIf you didn't have any transmission problems, it's because you haven't had a new focus in the last 20 years.
- Marsymars 5y agoThe manual transmission ones have been pretty reliable.
- cogman10 5y agoI've a 10 year old ford edge that's been nothing but failed parts. How many miles do you have on your focus? My edge started degrading fast after about 100,000 miles.
- rlonn 5y agoThe difference I think people will notice is how much less service a BEV requires as opposed to an ICE car. The ICE needs constant changes of oils and filters to keep those advanced engines operational, and this turns into frequent service appointments that cost money. Tesla Model 3 apparently has a 6 year service interval.
- skhr0680 5y agoI drive a 2014 Toyota minivan daily for work and my total cost of oil changes is less than $100 per year. At some point charging stations will stop being free and I’m skeptical of whether BEV will really save people money compared to petrol cars.
- dangus 5y agoCharging stations are not free. Only relatively early adopter Tesla owners have free charging and only at Supercharger stations, and that is a very small sliver of the market. Electric cars are still greatly more efficient on energy usage compared to gasoline cars. You'd have to grossly overcharge for electricity to make the comparison anywhere close. Use this calculator to see the difference in fuel vs. electric costs: https://afdc.energy.gov/calc/ https://afdc.energy.gov/calc/
- cogman10 5y agoIn the low cost US states ($0.12 per kWh) that's $0.036 per mile. In highest costs states (0.38 per kWh) that's $0.114 per mile. Gas cost per mile at 30mpg @ $3.00/gal is $0.10. In most cases, yes, it's going to save money. You'd need a high MPG car in an expensive electricity state that has somewhat cheap gas to really flip that.
- byw 5y agoIt's reliable because you changed the fluids on time. Also you lucked out with a particularly reliable model. I can guarantee you there are plenty of 20-year-old cars that are riddled with engine and tranny problems.
- throwawayboise 5y agoThat is true. I have had two Hondas that had transmission problems. The engines were great though. Surprised me given their reputation. I will not be buying any more of them.