My point is that if EVs cost more than their ICE counterparts, but have lower ongoing expenses, it still may never pencil out financially. There is opportunity cost by fronting a higher initial purchase price, and that applies even if you finance.
If you really want to save money, you'd buy a used EV, which does pencil out nicely, all things considered.
Bingo!
I suspect few people actually validate the claims of huge maintenance savings. A new Corolla goes 16,000km on an oil change. $35 to do it in house,(with brand name full synthetic, OEM filters purchased by the case), heck I saw Costco advertising full synthetic for $50 last week.
Our Civics & Corollas go on average,(over the last 20 years), 150,000km on front brakes, & usually only the pads require replacement. The second pad change gets new rotors. Rear drum brakes go lifetime, (350K-400K, if rear discs one change). The Civic that was disposed of last spring was 418,000km, on original rear drum brakes. Total cost over lifetime is only a few hundred dollars/vehicle. Other than tires, a couple of batteries, couple air/cabin filters, (we use the lifetime K & N airfilter, cleaning them around 150,000km), transmission fluid change at 175,000km, & usually one set of belts, almost nothing goes wrong with these cars. All have original air conditioning, including one 1999 MY, (Sienna), & 2000 MY, (Corolla). The Bolt will use up the same number of more expensive tires, & 12V batteries.
Saving appx $3K.year on fuel,(assuming I continue with free Kwh for the next 5 years), my Bolt will break even with a new Civic LX, or Corolla LE at 200,000km.
And that is not counting the 4 years time value of the extra $14K the Bolt cost.
I deliberately purchased a Bolt vs the Tesla 3 because I'm not totally convinced they are a more economical commuter car. Even the environmental savings are not cut & dried, if you consider total footprint over lifetime, including recycling at end of life.