Is the Chevy Volt More Maintenance Than Fully Electric Vehicles?

The short answer is no... unless you never plug it in, then why get a Volt?

A Chevy Volt or nearly any plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) maintenance is directly proportional to the hybrid engine usage or the inverse of electric vehicle (EV) miles driven. This means that the more you use the EV mode, the less maintenance you'll experience with a PHEV like the Volt.

My Experiences with the Chevy Volt

My Volt is heading into its 8th year of service and about to hit 160,000 miles. Besides the tire rotations, wiper fluid, headlamps, and other general car necessities, it has had only the following maintenance:

t2 oil changes t1 air filter change t1 planetary gear set fluid flush and fill (similar to what some EVs require) tRear brake work due to rusting - a common issue in any car t1 replaced wheel bearing - again, an issue that any car might face

Granted, I operate the car in 89% EV mode, but even if you only run 50% EV mode, that's probably around 50% less engine-related maintenance compared to a purely gas-powered car. This means significant savings over time.

It has a gas engine, so it will be about as much maintenance as a gas car. However, because the gas engine is not used all the time, it may require slightly less maintenance, like coolant and oil changes that a pure electric car wouldn't.

My Daughter's Experience with the Chevy Volt

I drove my Volt for 3 years before I gave it to my daughter. During these 45,000 miles, I put about 10,000 miles on the engine, and her maintenance record is quite similar. She has done the following:

t1 oil change tReplaced all tires tChanged 12V battery tOne service recall at the dealership, which was for no cost, likely an evaporation canister related to emissions controls

The difference between this maintenance and a pure electric car is merely two oil changes.

The Volt comes close to a pure electric car in terms of maintenance due to its long range and electric power. While it has a gas engine, the overall maintenance requirements are minimized, particularly in EV mode, making it a more efficient and cost-effective choice in the long run.