Generally, pure electric vehicles (EVs) boast lower maintenance costs compared to fuel - powered vehicles. This is because EVs lack an engine and transmission, and they experience less brake pad wear owing to kinetic energy recovery. For fuel - powered vehicles, a minor maintenance session typically costs around 700 yuan, while a major one can soar up to 4,000 yuan. On an annual basis, the average maintenance cost for fuel - powered vehicles ranges from 1,200 to 2,000 yuan.

In stark contrast, the average yearly maintenance cost for EVs is usually kept between 500 and 1,000 yuan, which is over 60% lower than that of fuel - powered vehicles. Nevertheless, some automotive bloggers have pointed out that the maintenance cost for EVs can sometimes exceed 3,000 yuan in a single instance. This discrepancy might stem from differences in vehicle models and the specific maintenance items.

For instance, including tasks like coolant replacement during a major maintenance can drive up the costs. However, for the majority of EVs, the average annual maintenance cost still remains considerably lower than that of fuel - powered vehicles. Moreover, although battery maintenance has the potential to be costly, most brands provide long - term warranties, which helps to cut down on user expenses.