One key to increased Bolt EV interest is the revelation of the very low maintenance that a BEV needs. I bought the 2014 Chevy Spark EV Owner Manual and I read it completely (I quoted parts of it in other forum posts here). The only user replaceble parts are the three wiper blades (two on the windshield and one opn the rear window) and the cabin air filter. The battery and controller coolant is replace once every ten years (or 95,000 miles), and it is the same period with the motor and gear lubricant (similar to transmission fluid). The brake fluid will last the life of the BEV. That is alll! How is this possible? Because the motor, battery, and controller generate little heat and their fluids will not degrade due to heat as in a gas engine vehicle. And regenerative braking will reduce over 90% of the friction (and hydraulic) brake wear.
The only big maintenance cost are the tires, as with every other vehicle. A BEV owner will be using their time only to keep it clean and to refill the washer fluid. All this time and material savings will compensate for the higher initial cost difference from a similar gas engine vehicle. I have serviced cars since 1963, driven them since 1967, and I know how to service and repair them. The BEV will definitely lower owner and operating costs, and probably eliminate many of the service shops everywhere. Only the tire shops continue to survive until a new tire/wheel design eliminates them, too.
This is my favorite issue about BEVs!
