>In order to estimate annual maintenance costs, we found the amount spent on every two oil changes (as oil changes are generally done every six months).
This cost only considers oil changes? That is not a realistic cost of total maintenance over 10 years.
No, that makes no sense because you wouldn't see that kind of variance in the prices.
I think in your quote they're saying they're using oil changes as a unit of time. This is because oil changes are usually done on a regular cycles, and because when you get your oil changed you often get your other maintenance done.
It's not written well, but I imagine they are getting the cost of all work completed when an oil change is completed. Typically owners will get scheduled maintenance done at the same time they get an oil change done. 1 appointment instead of 2.
Don't forget annual battery checks. Mandatory for warranty.
Your logic is not too far off actually. Our cars have no spark plugs(and cables), radiators, starter motors killing the 12v battery, gas pumps, fuel lines, fuel filters, oil, etc. So much less to worry about.
Heck, even the brake pads should last longer, due to the regenerative braking.
So barring any unforeseen events (such as something like the inverter or the internal charging burning out, which I haven't seen in the Leaf forums), the maintenance costs should be pretty low indeed. These things you mention are pretty cheap.
Honestly, they should depreciate way less than they currently do. Those things are incredibly reliable, and the current battery chemistry is way better than the first model, even if it is not thermally managed.
Anecdata: Just over 250,000 on my 2007 Honda CRV and with $1k in unscheduled mechanical maintenance and around another $1k in non-mechanical maintenance.
Assuming a 10,000 mile oil change cycle (I only change the oil when the car recommends it, and it seems to avg about 10k miles) that's 25 oil changes so far, for a total of ~$1800 (assuming dealer oil change + full synthetic, which has been all but two of my oil changes so far; does not include tax).
Warning, opinions ahead: In my experience, most people do not follow the recommended preventative maintenance plans for their vehicles, and rely solely on oil, tires, and gas changes, and all three only when necessary.
Here be dragons: At an over-all average MPG (according to the car's own computer) of 25, I've spent more on fuel than the cost of the vehicle, including loan interest, in the 250,000 miles.
Getting waaaaay out there: 32k for car + interest, 35k in fuel, 10k in other scheduled work (I believe in preventative maintenance), upgrades, cleaning, etc for a total cost of ownership of about ~80k means I've paid ~$3/mile driven.
I think most US consumers with newer cars typically only get maintenance done when they do their oil changes. Usually other services get tacked on the same bill. If they're just going by total receipt, this is probably fine.
>In order to estimate annual maintenance costs, we found the amount spent on every two oil changes (as oil changes are generally done every six months).
This cost only considers oil changes? That is not a realistic cost of total maintenance over 10 years.