I’m an Expert: 5 Affordable EVs with Low Repair Costs
Written by
David Nadelle
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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With the elimination of federal government electric vehicle (EV) tax credit for new (up to $7,500) and used (up to $4,000) cars coming fast, buyers have been flocking to dealerships to take advantage of tax incentives before they sunset on September 30.
“The electric vehicle sector is past the midpoint of its final quarter with federal incentive support, and the coming twilight is causing consumers to speed up their purchases,” said Tyson Jominy, senior VP of data and analytics at J.D. Power. Furthermore, he reported that sales for EVs, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs ) and hybrid EVs are up year-over-year for August.
The future of driving in the U.S. is still electric, despite the current administration’s opposition. While it might take longer than first expected, adoption of electric vehicles is on the rise both here and abroad.
Typical EV Repairs
EV costs are decreasing, and battery technology is improving. However, Kelley Blue Book’s August 2025 price report indicated the average cost of a new electric car was $55,689 — a 4.2% decrease from a year ago. In contrast, the average price of a gas-powered vehicle was $48,800, a 1.5% increase over the previous year.
However, aside from the initial cost of buying a car, consumers need to think about whether they can afford to run it. Fuel and energy costs, insurance costs and annual fees and taxes should be considered in your budget, and so should maintenance and repairs.
What are the most common EV repairs? “Battery cooling systems, onboard chargers and suspension wear (due to added weight) are some of them,” said Alex Black, ex-auction buyer and dealership manager and current Chief Marketing Officer at EpicVIN. “But if you get the right vehicle, annual maintenance can still be $200 to $400, not much more than most gas-powered vehicles.”
According to Carl Rodriguez, head of Content Creation and Sales training at NX Automotive Transport, EV drivers need to be aware of a whole different set of maintenance concerns. “Among the common repairs with respect to EV’s are tire replacements, 12V auxiliary battery replacement, door handles, and software updates,” he said. “You might be wondering why I mentioned tires — it’s because EV tires wear out quicker due to instant torque.”
Affordable EVs with Low Repair Costs
So which EVs should you consider with a laundry list of unique maintenance and repairs in mind? Here are a few options:
Chevrolet Bolt EV/Bolt EUV
According to Car and Driver, the Bolt EV and EUV (“a variant with more SUV-like bodywork”) had their two best sales years in 2022 and 2023 before being discontinued by Chevrolet. In fact, it was the best-selling non-Tesla EV on the market. Thankfully for budget-conscious buyers, the Bolt will make its return in 2027, and is expected to have impressive range and price tag under $35,000.
As far as used Bolts are concerned, Black mentioned, “If you want an affordable EV that won’t keep you up at night, you can’t go wrong with the Chevy Bolt. It isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable, and spare parts like modules or charge controllers cost a heck of a lot less than you’d spend on a Tesla.”
Tesla Model 3
Speaking of Tesla, the Model Y remains the best-selling EV in the U.S in 2025 (so far), but the second most popular is the much cheaper Model 3, according to Car and Driver. Teslas can be frustratingly expensive for parts and batteries, however, a recent Self study on the most and least affordable car models to run indicated the Model 3 was the most affordable best-selling car to run at an average of $5,061 per year, including an average $1,143 in maintenance costs.
“Tesla has persistently ranked as the most cost effective brand among EV manufacturers. And within Tesla, the Model 3 is the cheapest of them all,” said Rodriguez. “It’s battery replacement ranges from $15,000 to $20,000, and its annual maintenance costs rise up to $600.”
Hyundai Kona Electric
The Kona Electric is an excellent choice because of its low price, updated interior and industry-leading 5-year basic warranty. Edmunds tested the Kona EV and got 308 miles on the track — 50 more than the EPA-rated estimate.
Black agreed, noting, “The Hyundai Kona EV is another good option — good construction, fewer gadgets to malfunction, and at most independent shops, it’s relatively affordable to fix.”
Nissan Leaf
According to KBB, the cheapest new electric car is the 2025 Nissan Leaf, which retails for $29,280 (including the destination charge). Although it has limited range (the base model has an EPA rating of 149 miles) and charging possibilities (the Leaf uses the under-represented CHAdeMO charging port), the Leaf is reliable for the daily commute.
Not only are Leafs competitively-priced in the used market, but they’re incredibly cost-effective to own. Last year, TopSpeed ranked the Leaf as the EV with the lowest five-year ownership cost, with total ownership costs over five years at $46,916, including a five-year repair cost of just $1,724.
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