Khaberni - A new study conducted by the electric car maintenance workshop EV Clinic has revealed that the electric vehicle is no longer just an environmental or technical advancement option, but has become a smart financial investment in the long term.
EV Clinic, an independent technical entity based in Croatia, specializes in the maintenance and diagnostics of electric vehicles and analyzing their long-term operating costs.
After a precise comparison of the total usage costs between a Tesla Model 3 and a diesel-powered BMW 3 Series, the results were decisively in favor of the electric vehicle with a difference of about 60,000 euros after traveling 400,000 kilometers, in a comparison that leaves no room for doubt.
Although the number of critics of electric vehicles declines year after year, they still exist, and a wide segment of drivers has yet to decide to switch to this type of vehicle, not out of real rejection but due to concerns related to range, price, and operational lifespan, according to the French site "Frondroa" specialized in electric cars.
The main objections usually center around the driving range and the relatively high purchase price. Undoubtedly, electric cars are still, at present, more expensive than their gasoline or diesel counterparts, but this difference is gradually narrowing.
More importantly, numerous studies have confirmed that the long-term usage cost clearly favors electric vehicles, which EV Clinic has reaffirmed through a detailed analysis comparing the Tesla Model 3 Performance with the BMW 3 Series G30 generation.
The goal of the study was clear to determine which car costs its owner more in the long run. Looking at the purchase price, the Tesla Model 3 electric starts at about 47,784 euros in Croatia, while in France, it is more than 57,000 euros.
In contrast, the price of a diesel BMW 3 Series in Croatia is about 66,000 euros, and in France 52,350 euros, not counting the additional environmental tax. It is evident here that the most expensive Tesla Model 3 versions are close in price to the cheapest versions of BMW diesel, even though the electric category offers newer technologies and lower operating costs.
The study relied on a relatively long usage distance of about 400,000 kilometers. The result was striking, as it turned out that the total maintenance cost of the Tesla Model 3 does not exceed about 3,000 euros for this distance, thanks to the simplicity of the mechanical system and the absence of many complex parts found in diesel cars, such as the exhaust gas recirculation valve, particulate filter, turbocharger, and traditional gearbox, in addition to reducing the need for fluids and frequent replacement parts.
Despite the similarity in suspension and braking systems between the two cars, the brakes in the electric vehicle undergo less wear and tear thanks to the regenerative braking system, which reduces reliance on traditional brakes. In contrast, operating costs accumulate significantly in the diesel car, unveiling a shocking financial gap.
When accounting for the cost of fuel alone for traveling 400,000 kilometers, the expenses range between 42.52 thousand euros, an amount that already exceeds the total costs of charging and maintenance in a Tesla.
And it doesn't stop there, as maintenance and potential repair expenses must be added, from the cooling system to the turbocharger and transmission and other parts, for the total cost in diesel cars to reach between eighty and one hundred thousand euros additional.
According to estimates by "EV Clinic," the total cost of using the Tesla Model 3 for a distance of four hundred thousand kilometers is about 58,782 euros, compared to 117,440 euros for the BMW 3 Series, a difference of about 60,000 euros in favor of the electric vehicle.
Even in the case of battery replacement, which is the biggest concern for many drivers given that it could represent up to forty percent of the car's value, electric driving remains more cost-effective in the long run, even if the battery is replaced more than once.
In fact, data confirm that the need to replace the battery in an electric vehicle is very rare. Tesla has demonstrated this repeatedly through its periodic reports on battery life. Additionally, a content creator on the YouTube platform showed that he managed to travel more than three hundred and twenty thousand kilometers with his Tesla Model 3, with the battery retaining eighty-six percent of its original capacity, while the wear and tear on the brakes did not exceed thirty percent, and the total amount spent on charging was only about twenty-eight thousand euros.
