JaaK"Brake wear is the most expensive part of normal automobile service. For my ICE vehicles from the past I paid about $1000 for front brake rotors, calipers, pads, brake fluid and labor. For all 4 wheels it would $2000. Currently it would cost even more."
You drive ‘premium’ cars. I have 148,000 miles on my GM Malibu 2016 and the dealer said brakes are 1/2 worn. Good shape. Last Malibu had new brake pads and rotors turned at 135,000 miles for $400 at the dealer.
12 year old Prius will likely never need new brakes.
“Reduced wear of brakes is the most significant maintenance item for saving money on any vehicle - ICE, Hybrid or EV.”
Drive conservatively and get lots of miles on brakes. Drive like an idiot or in city traffic all the time, behind idiots who go from full gas pedal to full brake pedal on the road…and you’ll be fixing brakes soon.
And no…the 2007 Prius has never had anything over a hundred break in 25 years. However the hybrid battery just gave up the ghost and that was a $3000 repair. Dealer said they tend to die at 10-12 years. That dwarfs any repair. Oil change once a year. New air filter is $14 at Autozone and easy to replace yourself every few years.
Jaak:“The cost of engine oil changes, transmission oil changes, coolant changes, air filters, fuel filters and drive belts are insignificant compared to brakes. EVs do not have any of these costs.”
Oh, but they do. They have brakes. Even worse, they are full of electronics that can die or hiccup. EVs have battery cooling systems, a/c compressors, heating cooling fans, power windows, steering mechanisms, front axles and suspension parts, rear suspension/shocks, etc.
I’ve never had to replace a fuel filter. All the gas pumps have decent filters these days to avoid junk in your gas.
Worse, a typical EV might need a new $15,000-$25,000 battery after 10-12 years. Who knows. When it dies, your car is worth about $2000…until you fix it.
t.