So a lot of smack talk about the Chevy Bolt. Just wanted to share my own real-life experience. Also includes a cost comparison with my Subaru Crosstrek.
I own a 2016 Crosstrek and a 2018 Bolt. I have ~120,000 miles on each car and I’ve owned both since new . The Bolt cost ~$4,000 more than the Crosstrek after tax credit (getting a used low-mileage 2023 Bolt is less than $20K before sales taxes and tax credit right now; I paid way more than that new six years ago – this was before the Model 3 was in general production and there was definitely an early-adopter cost for EV’s).
My rough summary of cost of ownership of each vehicle over 120,000 miles:
2018 Bolt.
Fuel (my actual cost is $0.06 per KWH); and efficiency of 4 miles per KWH (rounded down from my actual efficiency of 4.2 miles/KWH) = $1,800 of charging costs.
Add the purchase of a Level 2 charger and associated wiring = $1,200
Add actual maintenance cost, including 5-year/150,000 mile maintenance, tire rebalancing and repairing ~ $500 of damage = $1,000
Add $400 of random high-speed charging (I think it’s less than this, but I’m not actually bothering to search years of records).
Total = $4,400
2016 Crosstrek.
I used the combined MPG of 29 (from the internet). My actual MPG lower because we do mostly city driving, but I can’t recreate the actual number.
Total 4,138 gallons of gas. I assumed $3.50 per gallon, though where I live it has mostly been above that = $14,483
Assume 20 oil changes (every 6,000 miles), less 4 oil changes for the 30,000, 60,000, 90,000, and 120,000 maintenance.
So 16 oil changes x $70 = $1,120
$500 each for the major maintenance at the 30,000 mile increments (my actual costs are higher for both oil changes and major scheduled maintenance, but there’s always some guy who says their maintenance costs are super low and I don’t want to hear it).
Also had a brake job and an unscheduled engine sensor repair not included here because I don’t want to find the numbers.
Total = $17,603
So, I’m about $9,000 ahead with my Bolt vs my Subaru over a 120,000 period on each vehicle. Both cars are great. Both cars have their faults.
If I bought them used under current conditions (used 2023 MY with about 20,000 miles, using Carvana prices), the delta would be closer to $16,000 in favor of the Bolt because Bolts have a lower resale value, which doesn’t hurt you if you buy used and drive until death (car’s or yours, whichever).
YMMV.
I write this not to convince the trolls (you know who you are). Just wanted to share with folks who are EV curious, of which there are some in this thread.