[bruceme]

Someone posted on my local thread that EVs where expensive. And they can be, but I'd like to hear more from folks like me who are regular drivers/commuters in EVs. I will start by sharing my numbers and compare them to my wife's Prius.

I have an 1986 BMW 325SE that is probably about break even on cost with most economic cars, maybe better, it will take a few years to see. But it won't snap your neck off the line and it has nothing on a Tesla.

I've been commuting daily ~40 mi and similarly on the weekends (home depot, etc). I'd guess I've probably done 400 cycles now and I'm inching up to 20,000 miles over two years. I can do some simple math...

Purchased & delivered already converter: $5k
Replace batteries (known going in): $5k
New tires last year: $450
Suspension work, replaced worn bushing: $300
7mwh for 20,000 miles of driving: $700
500 of 3000 estimate battery cycles: $833

Add up the consumables:
$450 + $300 + $700 + $833 = $2283

For 20,000 miles, that's .11/mi total cost.

My wife has been driving the Prius about the same way, we all know how economical they are:

At 45mpg, $3.5/gal, fuel is $1555
She too had new tires: $450
Regular oil changes at 4,000mi: $500

450 + 1555 + 500 = $2505

For 20,000 miles, that's $0.12/mi total cost.


So basically I'm on par with my wife, which is about what I expected. All said, Electric isn't going to save you huge, but it does save some.

I don't do this because it's cheap or because it's better or because it's green, I do it for all those reasons!

-Bruce

 

[CrazyAl]

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for sharing your calculations and experiences.

Just wondering what type of gearbox (manual or auto or none) your BMW has?

Also, your BMW has a lot of street cred which is another plus.

Thanks
Crazy Al

 

[dtbaker]

in a nutshell, thats about the same as my conclusion... in a more apples-apples conversion of a specific vehicle I think a lithium build can show a little more financial savings, but not huge. Comparing a good small EV to a large SUV starts looking like a no-brainer.

the real kicker is if you can swing installing PV on your house, and have cleaner/cheaper power to boot.

 

[Ziggythewiz]

A couple issues with your analysis:

You've included maintenance costs for one vehicle compared to a lack thereof on a newer vehicle. If you get outside direct EV costs, it all depends too much on the vehicle and it becomes a BMW vs Prius discussion.

You've also included battery purchase as well as battery wear, but should only include one. You're obviously not going to factor in X% cost of engine replacement for the prius (though you could for Prius batteries).

 

[bruceme]

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for sharing your calculations and experiences.

Just wondering what type of gearbox (manual or auto or none) your BMW has?

Also, your BMW has a lot of street cred which is another plus.

Thanks
Crazy Al

Manual, and yes, convert a car you like and that's reasonably efficient. BMW 3-series fits that bill nicely.

 

[favguy]

I've worked out that comparing like for like type vehicles, the EV having a decent lithium pack, and the ICE having an economical Diesel here in the UK, very long term, the EV wins, but for knocking on 10 years the Diesel has it. That's assuming an average mileage at 12,000pa and that the lithium will hold up (hopefully, but we don't know yet, do we?!)