Before you choose the electric car over the petrol car in Pakistan, you should consider the maintenance cost of each in addition to the initial cost. Oil changes, other odd repairs, brake pads, and battery health all increase the maintenance cost.
The running cost of an EV is approximately 70-80% lower than that of a petrol vehicle. Let me explain why.
Why Do Petrol Cars Suffer Even More in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the driving conditions are extremely harsh for petrol cars. The road has potholes in it, it is very hot outside, and heavy traffic in the area. All this results in the wear and tear of the engine parts at a much faster rate than usual.
Another concern is fuel quality. Petrol may be contaminated and of low quality in Pakistan. This can lead to carbon fouling of spark plugs, fuel injector deposits, dirty throttle bodies, and a fouled catalytic converter.
In Pakistan, petrol cars cost more for maintenance than in any other country because of the road conditions and heavy traffic.
What Do You Pay for on an Electric Vehicle?
Electric vehicles are not only easy to commute in, but EVs come with a warranty and a good battery. If you take care of the EV, it doesn’t have any maintenance costs other than its battery. For most commuters, the battery works perfectly well.
What do EV owners really pay for?
| Service | How Often | Typical Cost |
| Coolant check | Every 2 to 3 years | Rs 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Brake fluid change | Every 2 to 3 years | Rs 3,000 to 6,000 |
| Brake pads | Much less often than petrol cars | Rs 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Tire rotation and alignment | Same as any car | Rs 2,000 to 4,000 |
| Cabin air filter | Every 10,000 to 15,000 km | Rs 1,000 to 2,000 |
What about the Battery?
The only costly part of an EV is its battery. The cost of replacement varies from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh depending on the model. That’s where a lot of people are hesitant to purchase an electric vehicle.
Sadly, he has one thing that you have to learn. The warranty varies from 7 to 10 years for most EV batteries. If the company’s battery fails during the period, it will replace it free of charge. There are others, too, who will have protection against the batteries’ charge capacity with their statement that they won’t be less than 70 percent at the same time.
Batteries’ range decreases over the years. For most buyers, the battery will last longer than their car. The odds are likely that you’ll be able to resell the EV before the battery ever is a problem.
It’s heat that’s the enemy. Recharging the battery completely regularly also decreases battery life. Liquid coolers perform better in the hot weather of Pakistan compared to those with air cooling.
Why Do EV Brake Pads Last Longer?
Not many understand this, but EVs employ the regenerative braking mechanism. During deceleration, the electric motor slows the car down and also produces electricity at the same time. This translates to very little of the physical brakes.
City driving in a petrol car involves continual use of the brakes. Average brake pad lifespan is 30,000 to 50,000 km, after which it starts to wear out. At an EV, the very same brake pads can withstand a distance of as much as 100,000 km or even more. This comes out to an additional cost of Rs10,000-20,000 saved throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.
Conclusion
The running costs of an EV are much less than those of a petrol car. None of the oil change, spark plugs, timing belt, exhaust, alternator, or starter motor will fail.
The only thing EV buyers have to be concerned about is the battery health. However, warranties are usually for 7-10 years, and the batteries work perfectly for a long time, so most won’t need to be replaced. The battery is expected to last a longer period than the car, as the average holding time of a vehicle is 5-7 years for the average Pakistani.
Additionally, you do not need to worry about fluctuating prices of petrol. That is why an EV in Pakistan is more economical. It’s pricey at the start, but it will save you a lot of money in the long term.
