### Gas Vs. Electric $2500 to convert gas engine to run on compressed bio gas | Category | Electric Vehicles | Gas Vehicles | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Initial Cost | $8,000 - $15,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 | | Lifespan | 10-15 years | 7-12 years | | Amortized Initial Cost | $533 - $1,500/year | $417 - $1,429/year | | Annual Maintenance Cost | $100 - $500 | $300 - $800 | | Annual Repair Cost | $500 - $1,500 | $200 - $700 | | Fuel/Electricity Cost | $50 - $200 | $200 - $600 | | Hours Maintenance | 5-10 hours/year | 10-20 hours/year | | Total Annual Cost | $1,183 - $3,700 | $1,117 - $3,529 | ### Insights into Cost Comparison #### Electric Vehicles - Initial Cost: Higher due to the cost of batteries and electric drivetrain. - Maintenance and Repair Costs: Lower regular maintenance costs (fewer moving parts) but higher repair costs when batteries or electronics fail. Specialized repairs can increase downtime and cost. - Fuel Costs: Electricity is cheaper, especially if renewable energy is used. - Hours Maintenance: Fewer routine tasks like oil changes or engine tune-ups. #### Gas Vehicles - Initial Cost: Lower upfront cost due to established manufacturing processes. - Maintenance and Repair Costs: Higher due to engine complexity but repairs are more common and often cheaper overall. - Fuel Costs: Higher due to gasoline prices and less energy efficiency. - Hours Maintenance: More frequent servicing required. ### Key Observations - Over the lifespan, electric vehicles do not always have a lower total cost unless maintenance hours or fuel efficiency are prioritized. Battery replacement significantly impacts EV costs. - Gas vehicles, with simpler repairability and lower initial costs, may still dominate in environments where downtime and rugged reliability are critical.