I thought my old car was fine until I ran the numbers on a spreadsheet

I kept my 2008 sedan because I figured buying a new electric car was too expensive and bad for the planet anyway. Then a friend made me list all my costs for a year: gas, oil changes, repairs, everything. It came to over $3,200. I compared it to a used Nissan Leaf's charging cost, which was about $400 for the same miles. The math showed I'd save the price difference in under four years, not counting fewer repairs. Now I'm looking at used EVs seriously. Has anyone else made the switch and been surprised by the real savings?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_grant22d ago

Honestly, that spreadsheet method is brutal. I did something similar but for my ancient lawnmower versus a push reel mower. Turns out gas, oil, and the yearly tune-up cost more than a decent new manual mower in just two seasons. It’s wild how we ignore the drip drip drip of small costs. Makes you look at everything in the garage differently.

maxl9322d ago

Spreadsheets don't lie, man. That yearly cost creep is insane. I did the same thing and was shocked how much I was really spending on my old gas car. The charger install cost was a one time hit for me, and modern batteries last way longer than people think. The math just works out for a lot of daily drivers.

ivan_harris22d ago

But what about the cost of a home charger and the battery replacement down the line? Those spreadsheets often miss the big future expenses, which can totally change the math. It might not be the clear win it seems at first glance.