Other Vehicle Cost Factors

The cost savings calculator does not factor in any costs that may be incurred in battery replacement charges nor does it factor in the additional costs associated with internal combustion engine (ICE) servicing.  So let’s consider those.

Batteries wear out and a replacement battery will eventually be needed. Tesla Model S or Model X is protected by a 4 year, 80,000 km limited warranty and an 8 year or unlimited kilometre Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty.  However real world experience is indicating that expected battery useful life spans are greater than expected and with improving battery technology they are now lasting between 12 and 20 years with additional extended life in energy storage. The price by then of battery replacement will be insignificant in comparison to today. The average kms per annum for Australian passenger vehicles is 12,600 annually according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018 numbers). Batteries are lasting much longer than first expected with real world life spans of between 12 and 20 years with some models. Elon Musk has recently (14 April 2019 Twitter) tweeted a life expectancy of between 480,000kms and 800,000kms for Model 3 batteries. Based on average passenger driving in Australia the pack would last (480,000kms divided by 12,600kms) 38 years.

Now how about the servicing costs associated with ICE vehicles. Every car owner knows the expense of servicing and replacement parts.  Hefty!  With EVs there is relatively little servicing and of course no expensive exhaust systems, starter motors, fuel injection systems, radiators and a myriad of other parts that simply aren’t needed with an EV.  What are those cost savings over a 10 year period. Difficult to quantify but in a word, substantial.