11 Reasons EV Ownership Isn’t as Cheap as You Think

Electric vehicles are marketed as money-savers, but the truth is more complicated. From expensive battery replacements to charging setup costs and insurance hikes, EV ownership often comes with hidden expenses that can shock new buyers. Here are 11 reasons it’s not as cheap as it seems.

Tesla Model 3

You know, everyone always says the Tesla Model 3 is the “smart” EV to buy. Like, it’s the iPhone of cars. But then, bam, you realize this thing still costs around 40,000 bucks, and that’s before the fancy wheels or that “Full Self-Driving” thing that, let’s be honest, doesn’t fully drive you anywhere yet. I mean, sure, charging at home feels cheap at first… until your electric bill spikes like a caffeine rush, and then you’re like, “Wait, did I just pay gas prices for electricity?”

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Oh man, the Mach-E. It’s gorgeous, it’s got that whole “I’m sporty but green” vibe. I test drove one once, it’s smooth, it hums, it’s fast. But the base model is like, mid-40s? Forty-five, maybe fifty grand? And range anxiety is very real. I swear the battery behaves like my phone’s after a year, fine one minute, then suddenly it’s like, “Surprise! I’m empty.”

Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Ioniq 5 looks like it came from the future, seriously. It’s boxy in the coolest way, and inside it feels like a spaceship lounge. But yeah, I saw one listed at like 47k, and I just sighed. It’s efficient, sure, but replacing that battery later? Don’t even Google the price unless you want heartburn. Also, fun fact, its resale value’s dropping faster than I thought.

Rivian R1T

Okay, I love this truck. Like, love-love. It’s rugged but minimalist, kinda gives you that “glamping with Wi-Fi” mood. But oh my god, the price. Ninety thousand dollars, easy. Maybe more if you add stuff. And charging this beast? Imagine filling up a kiddie pool with a straw. It takes forever unless you find one of those ultra-fast chargers, which are, like, nowhere near convenient.

Chevrolet Bolt

The Bolt used to be the “cheap” EV hero, right? Like 27 grand or whatever. But you get in it, and you’re like… yeah, it’s not cheap, it’s just less expensive. It’s small, kinda plasticky inside, and not exactly thrilling to drive. Also, GM had that recall thing with the batteries catching fire, which, yeah, doesn’t really scream “peace of mind.”

Nissan Leaf

Ah, the Leaf. The OG electric car for normal people. I actually drove one once, and it was fine, just fine. It’s, like, comfortable, quiet, perfect for grocery runs. But don’t take it on a road trip unless you enjoy staring at charging maps. The newer ones cost mid-30s, and the range is still… meh. It’s like 150 miles before you start sweating about finding a plug.

Tesla Model Y

Back to Tesla, because you can’t really avoid it. The Model Y is everywhere. It’s like the suburban electric crossover default now. Around 50k before anything fancy. But I swear every time Tesla drops prices, it tanks the resale for everyone else who already bought one. And those tire replacements? Joke’s on you, they’re performance tires.

Kia EV6

Honestly, the EV6 is so cool. It looks sharp, almost alien. It drives like it wants to prove something. But yeah, charging it isn’t as “easy-peasy” as everyone pretends. Fifty thousand dollars can get you one, but then you realize the charging network’s just not there yet. So you’re either waiting forever at a random charger or praying it’s not broken.

Volkswagen ID.4

So, the ID.4 feels like VW’s attempt to say, “Hey, we’re modern too!” It’s roomy, comfy, and safe, no doubt. But the infotainment system? Laggy as my old laptop. Around 40-ish thousand, which doesn’t sound terrible until you remember the Mach-E exists. I’ve seen people complain about weird bugs and slow software updates, which feels kinda ironic for a car that’s supposed to be futuristic.

BMW i4

The i4, oh boy, it’s that fancy EV you want but probably can’t justify. Sixty-ish grand for a car that looks sleek and behaves like a grown-up Tesla rival. But man, BMW maintenance still applies. Those parts and tires and tiny battery quirks? It adds up fast. Plus the “luxury EV” insurance cost is just brutal.

Lucid Air

Okay, last one, but the Lucid Air is just… stunning. It’s like the designer skipped sleep for a week and poured their soul into this car. It starts around 70k, but goes way past six figures. You sit inside and feel rich, until you remember, you still have to charge it. And Lucid chargers? Good luck finding one outside the big cities. That’s the thing, being fancy still doesn’t make charging easier.