An EV, or electric vehicle, is an automobile that is powered partly or completely by electricity. EVs store power in an onboard battery that, depending on the type of EV, needs to be charged.
Continue on to find out about how to maintain EVs, the savings they can provide, and the types of EVs.
EV Maintenance
Are EVs Easier to Service?
- Yes, in fact, EV maintenance can be a major source of savings. The battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance.
- There are fewer fluids, such as engine oil, that require regular maintenance.
- Brake wear is significantly reduced due to regenerative braking.
- There are far fewer moving parts relative to a conventional fuel engine.
Maintenance Savings
Updated August 2026
On average, gas cars cost $800 to $1,200 to maintain per year while electric cars cost just $400 to $600 to maintain per year. That’s $2,000 to $3,000 in maintenance savings over a five-year period!
Maintenance Info
For more details about maintenance visit AFDC’s Maintenance and Safety of Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles page here.
How Much do EVs Save?
Updated August 2026
According to a July 2026 Washington Post article, driving an EV can save you between $39 to $89 each month to power your vehicle. For vehicles with excellent efficiency, Marylanders pay as little as $60 per month to charge their EV compared to $99 per month for gas. Meanwhile, for vehicles with poor efficiency, Marylanders pay approximately $89 per month to charge their EV and $178 per month to fuel their gas-powered vehicle.
This means that, on average, Maryland drivers pay twice as much to fuel a gas-powered vehicle than to charge an EV.
Which EV is Right for You?
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
BEVs use only a battery to power the motor. Batteries can be topped up at plug-in charging stations.
Most all-electric vehicles can travel between 150 and 350 miles on a fully charged battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
PHEVs are powered by traditional fuels and electric energy stored in a battery. This battery can be charged by plugging into an electric power source.
Many plug-in hybrids can travel between 20 and 50 miles on battery power only.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
HEVs are powered by traditional fuels and electric energy stored in a small battery. As the car slows down, energy is captured to provide extra power when needed.
HEV batteries cannot be charged from external sources.
Which BEVs and PHEVs Are Available in Maryland?
Electric vehicles are in our state and ready for purchase. Use these resources to search.
