With electric vehicle (EV) registrations making up more than 20 per cent of the new car market in 2025*, new data shows that they’re not only cheaper to fuel but also significantly cheaper to maintain. According to The Car Expert, the UK’s leading automotive consumer advice platform, drivers making the switch to electric vehicles in 2025 can expect to pay nearly 30 per cent (29 per cent1) less to service an electric vehicle (EV) over five years compared to a petrol, diesel or hybrid equivalent.
The findings are based on exclusive data supplied by automotive analytics provider and The Car Expert’s technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data, covering more than 600 new and near-new cars currently on sale in the UK. Drawing on official manufacturer servicing schedules, the analysis includes every version of each model – from body styles and trim levels to gearbox and powertrain options – with millions of data points.
“Servicing is often an overlooked part of the total cost of ownership, but it’s an area where electric vehicles continue to deliver a clear and measurable advantage,” said Stuart Masson, Editorial Director at The Car Expert. “While overall costs have risen slightly across the market, the long-term maintenance savings with EVs remain compelling. Here at The Car Expert, our mission is to give drivers clear, independent insights into every stage of car ownership – and that includes looking beyond the purchase price. Servicing costs may not be front of mind when choosing a car, but they play a major role in what you’ll spend over time, and it’s vital that drivers factor that into their decision-making.”
While servicing costs have increased across the board over the last 12 months2, Clear Vehicle Data’s insight confirms that electric vehicles remain significantly cheaper to maintain than their petrol, diesel or hybrid counterparts. While there are many factors that may contribute to this, one likely explanation is the relative simplicity of EV drivetrains. With fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and a lower number of components that require regular servicing, this reduces the maintenance costs of EVs (though actual costs will still vary by model, usage and manufacturer servicing schedules).
The findings reinforce what many drivers are starting to realise: electric cars make financial sense long after they leave the forecourt. In the most detailed part of the analysis, EVs were found to be cheaper to service in 95 per cent (53 out of 56) like-for-like model comparisons – often by hundreds of pounds per year.
The differences become even clearer when looking at specific model comparisons. Examples include the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, which is 31 per cent cheaper to service over the first three years than the petrol model – and 32 per cent cheaper from years three to five. The Fiat 500e saves drivers even more, with service costs 34 per cent lower than the petrol version in early ownership and 31 per cent lower in later years. The new all-electric MINI Countryman also delivers strong savings, with maintenance costs reduced by 18 per cent in the first three years, rising to 22 per cent from years three to five.
For fleet managers and higher-mileage drivers, the long-term savings highlighted in this analysis can be particularly impactful. That’s why The Car Expert works closely with Clear Vehicle Data – whose detailed servicing and cost insights are trusted by some of the UK’s largest leasing and fleet management companies. Its data also aids key elements of The Car Expert’s Expert Rating Index, too, helping consumers and businesses alike make better-informed decisions about the true cost of car ownership.
“We break down servicing costs by every imaginable vehicle configuration – fuel type, body style, mileage, trim level, and more,” said Tim Hudson, Managing Director at Clear Vehicle Data. “Our data shows a clear trend: electric vehicles consistently cost less to maintain, and that gap remains significant in 2025. With more EV options available than ever before, the case for switching is stronger – particularly when you consider the measurable impact on running costs for both fleet operators and private buyers. As electric models expand across every vehicle segment, it’s becoming easier for drivers to choose options that offer real, long-term value.”
The servicing data, which covers scheduled maintenance items including labour, filters, lubricants and other required components, feeds directly into The Car Expert’s Expert Rating Index – a unique, data-driven system that combines real-world ownership costs, insurance ratings, emissions and efficiency data to give a complete picture of running a car in the UK and value over time.