Electric Cars Offer Significant Maintenance Savings for British Drivers
Drivers switching to electric cars in 2025 can expect to pay nearly 30% less for servicing over the next five years compared to owners of petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles. New analysis has confirmed that electric vehicles continue to be ‘significantly cheaper’ to maintain despite rising servicing costs across all vehicle types.
Experts attribute the savings to electric vehicles having fewer moving parts, eliminating the need for oil changes, and the overall simplicity of their powertrains. A comprehensive comparison of like-for-like models found that 95% of electric cars were cheaper to service than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
The detailed study by The Car Expert, using data from technical partner Clear Vehicle Data, revealed that:
- Average servicing costs over five years for petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles total £5,709
- Average servicing costs for electric cars over the same period are £4,022
- This represents a saving of £1,687 for electric vehicle owners
Specific model comparisons demonstrated:
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric was 31% cheaper to service than the petrol version over the first three years
- The difference increased to 32% over the following two years
- All-electric Mini Countryman was 22% cheaper to service than its internal combustion engine equivalent over five years
Stuart Masson, editorial director at The Car Expert, commented: “Servicing remains a crucial aspect of total car ownership costs where electric vehicles continue to offer a clear advantage. While overall costs have risen slightly, the long-term maintenance savings with EVs remain compelling.”
Tim Hudson, managing director at Clear Vehicle Data, noted: “Our detailed breakdown of servicing costs shows a clear trend – electric vehicles consistently cost less to maintain, and that gap remains significant in 2025. With an expanding range of EV models across all segments, the case for switching is stronger than ever.”
The latest market data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows electric vehicles now account for 20.4% of total market share, with British drivers increasingly opting for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles as petrol and diesel vehicle market share continues to decline.
