Can Electric Vehicles Last 1 Million Miles? Unveiling the Truth

Vehicles that can surpass 1 million miles are rare, especially those with internal combustion engines (ICE). Cars like the late 90's Lexus LS400 or Toyota Tundra from the late 2000s managed to achieve this feat. However, these vehicles required extensive maintenance, particularly regular oil changes. It's important to understand that maintaining an ICE vehicle to reach such a milestone is an arduous task, often involving meticulous care and significant financial investment.

The Case of Modern Electric Vehicles (EVs)

One notable example is the 2012 Tesla Model S, which has already surpassed the 1 million mile mark. However, the question remains: can an EV last a million miles with original parts and no maintenance?

Comparing ICE to EVs

It's a myth that EVs are less durable than ICE cars. In reality, the average life expectancy of a car in the US is around 120,000 miles, and many EVs can and do surpass this number. The vast majority of EVs can last 120,000 miles or more without needing major repairs or replacements. This durability is due to the fact that EVs have fewer moving parts, making them inherently more reliable.

Advantages of Electric Vehicles

Unlike ICE vehicles, which require frequent oil changes and other maintenance tasks, EVs need very little maintenance. An EV does not require oil changes, and the basic service items like spark plugs, air filters, and oil changes are not part of the maintenance regimen. Even in a million miles, a Tesla might only require a few minor services such as cabin air filters and scheduled inspections.

Example: Tesla Maintenance Costs

According to Tesla, a typical service interval is every 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This maintenance is relatively minor and does not involve major repairs like replacing the engine or transmission. This highlights the relative ease of maintaining an EV over its lifespan.

On the other hand, an ICE vehicle might require 60 oil changes over a million miles, with each oil change costing around $60. Additionally, spark plugs would need to be replaced approximately 30 times, each costing about $12, and air filters might need to be replaced 30 times at around $20 each. These costs can add up to over $6,000 in basic service items alone.

Conclusion: The Myth Unveiled

While it's true that there are rare cases of ICE vehicles reaching 1 million miles, the idea that most vehicles can achieve this without significant repairs or replacements is misleading. In contrast, EVs are designed for longevity and durability. While an EV can last a million miles, it's not the same as extending the lifespan of an ICE vehicle through rigorous maintenance. Most vehicles, whether ICE or EV, will reach the end of their useful life due to wear and tear, but modern EVs are built to handle much of this wear with relative ease.

The durability of an EV is due to its simpler design and lack of traditional moving parts prone to wear. Moreover, technological advancements in battery technology and vehicle reliability continue to improve the longevity of EVs. While reaching 1 million miles is a distant dream for most vehicles, modern EVs are geared to provide reliable service for many years beyond the typical lifespan of an ICE vehicle.