ahtishambuttTesla owners are part of an elite club of early adopters in the push toward electric vehicles.
Over a dozen Tesla owners shared some of the top perks of owning a Tesla over any other car in a series of conversations with Insider. Reasons they gave included avoiding gas stations and repair shops, as well as enjoying its high-tech infotainment system and self-driving features. While some of the perks could apply to other electric cars, many of them point to Tesla’s dominance in the EV market.
Here are some of the benefits Tesla drivers cited.
Driving a Tesla means no more oil changes and frequent upkeep.
Some Tesla owners say they’ve gone years without bringing their EV into a repair shop.
For comparison, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles need to have their oil changed every few months, or between every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. And older ICE cars require oil changes every 3,000 miles.
ICE vehicle owners also need to replace their brake pads about every 10,000 to 20,000 miles.
Meanwhile, an electric car will never need an oil change, new fuel filter, spark plugs, or emission checks. Similarly, Teslas use regenerative braking, which means the brake pads very rarely need to be replaced, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Consumer Reports found that Teslas were the cheapest cars to own when it comes to costs of repairs and maintenance for the first five years of ownership.
Many Tesla owners said the only times they visited service centers were for issues that were covered by the carmaker’s warranty or for collisions.
“I’ve spent about $800 in seven years of owning my Tesla,” Robbie Mack, a former Tesla salesman and owner of a Model S, said. “One of the fixes was my fault because I went over a curb.”
It also means no gas station stops.
Tesla owners say they save hundreds by charging at home. Many compared charging their EV to plugging in their phone at night — simple and efficient.
“It’s hard to explain the glee of driving by a gas station knowing you don’t have to worry about the prices anymore,” Nelson Jackson, a Model S owner, said.
The average electric car owner saves between $1,000 to $1,200 per year in fuel costs as compared to using an EV charger, according to Consumer Reports. The publication found that EV owners will continue to save money in overall operating and maintenance costs as long as the price for gasoline remains above 50 cents per gallon.
Jonathan Baalke, a Model 3 owner based out of Kentucky, told Insider his electric bill increased by about $100 per month when he started using a home EV charger. But he estimated he’s saving about $400 to $500 a month on gas because he drives about 3,000 miles a month for his job.
“Even when you stop at a Supercharger you’re still paying like $15 versus $80 at a gas station,” Baalke said.
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