Calculate the cost first and then look at the experience. Is it cost-effective to switch cars from oil to electricity-

More Traditional to Modern: Evaluating Costs and Experiences in the Shift from Gas to Electric Vehicles

The Shift to Electric: Worth the Investment?

With considerations like unrestricted driving, lower operational costs, and enhanced driving experiences, an increasing number of gasoline vehicle owners are opting to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). According to data from the China Automobile Dealers Association, the retail penetration rate of new energy passenger vehicles has exceeded 50% for three consecutive months since July of this year.

What factors do these owners consider when deciding to make the switch? How has their actual experience changed after the transition? And what are their concerns or expectations for future driving?

Challenges
Restrictions on Gas Vehicles Are Inconvenient; Maintenance Costs Are Too High

Ms. Zhang has been driving gasoline cars for 13 years since purchasing her first vehicle in 2011. “My biggest headache is the driving restrictions,” she shares. With a daily round trip of nearly 50 kilometers for work, driving is a necessity for her. “On the restricted days, it’s really difficult. It’s hard to find a taxi, and even if you do manage to hail one, it’s quite expensive.”

Beyond the inconvenience of restrictions, Ms. Zhang has noticed a steady increase in maintenance costs. “Fuel prices are always high; it’s painful to fill up the tank during traffic jams—I’m spending at least over a thousand yuan just on fuel each month,” she laments. She finds that maintenance and repairs for gasoline vehicles can also be financially draining, with major services costing anywhere from two to three thousand yuan.

After hearing from friends about the benefits of owning an EV—namely, no restriction issues and lower maintenance costs—Ms. Zhang found herself interested. “Prices for electric vehicles have come down significantly. There are plenty of options available, whether you’re looking at models under 100,000 yuan, or those in the 200,000 to 300,000 yuan range.” After test driving several popular models, she and her family exclaimed, “This feels completely different.” Ultimately, Ms. Zhang purchased an EV with a range of 830 kilometers, noting, “With this range, a trip to the suburbs or nearby cities shouldn’t be a problem during holidays.”

Similarly, Ms. Tang, who has also driven gasoline vehicles for over a decade, made the switch to an EV in early September. “In the past, many people were just waiting to see, especially those who drove premium cars; they felt electric vehicles were still lacking. But now, there are many high-quality options available, and people are gradually shifting from being passive buyers to active switchers.” Ms. Tang observes that acceptance of EVs among those around her has noticeably increased. “Most driving is done in urban areas; long trips are quite rare, and electric vehicles can easily meet daily needs.”

Costs
Energy Expenses Reduced by Over Half; Maintenance Costs Significantly Lowered

“I felt confident making the switch to an EV mainly because there’s a charging station right below my workplace. I can charge my car without incurring additional parking fees or wasting extra time,” says Ms. Tang. Her residential community has fixed parking spaces, but due to regulations, they cannot install charging stations in the underground garage, so she relies on public charging stations. “The cost is indeed higher than a home charger, averaging about 1.3 to 1.7 yuan per kilowatt-hour, and charging my vehicle costs around 80 yuan each time. I used to spend over a thousand yuan monthly on fuel for my gasoline car, but now I charge four or five times a month, which totals about 300 to 400 yuan—it’s at least a 50% savings.”

Since switching to an EV, Mr. Liu has also noticed a significant decrease in his commuting costs. “I commute about 65 kilometers roundtrip daily from Xisanqi to Guanzhuang. My gasoline vehicle had a fuel consumption of about 8.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which, while efficient, still cost over 1,200 yuan per month.” Mr. Liu later purchased a battery-swappable EV, specifically a version that allows for six free battery swaps per month, which is sufficient for spring, summer, and fall. “In winter, the battery drains faster, so I might need to pay for two extra swaps, costing around 78 yuan each. Overall, I can save about 60% to 70% on energy costs,” he states. He is pleasantly surprised that in just three months, two more battery-swapping stations have opened within two kilometers of his home. “Now, going to the swapping station can actually be quicker than going to the gas station.”

As his energy expenses diminished, Mr. Liu has also felt a decrease in maintenance costs. “Previously, my gasoline vehicle required many maintenance tasks, including oil changes and various system cleanings. A minor service cost around 750 yuan, while a major service was about 4,000 yuan. I’d usually have maintenance done at around 10,000 kilometers instead of the recommended intervals, which still added up.” In contrast, maintaining the EV is much simpler. “It mostly involves changing wear-and-tear parts and annual servicing, which costs at least 60% less than maintaining a gasoline car,” he explains.

Ms. Tang agrees, noting, “Once a gasoline vehicle hits a certain mileage, maintenance costs can jump significantly due to the complexity of its components, which require frequent cleaning and replacement. Over the course of a year, it can easily run several thousand yuan. EVs have far fewer maintenance tasks; sometimes, you just need a software update.” Prior to trading in her car, Ms. Tang learned about a government subsidy of 15,000 yuan available for qualifying personal EV purchases from September 1 to December 31. “Along with additional subsidies from manufacturers, it made the purchase quite appealing,” she adds.

Experience
Smart Interactions Are User-Friendly; Thoughtful Design Details

While saving money is a significant factor, Ms. Tang places a higher value on the improvements in driving experience. “The level of smart technology in EVs is impressive, especially with voice interactions that far exceed traditional gasoline vehicles.” Previously, she drove a vehicle in the 300,000 to 400,000 yuan range and spent over a thousand yuan to upgrade its navigation system, “but it still wasn’t smart enough. It didn’t compare to the navigation in EVs, which is seamless and intuitive, just like what you have on your smartphone.”

Ms. Tang sees EVs as not just a mode of transportation, but also a lifestyle that brings fresh experiences for the entire family. “In the past, gasoline vehicles mainly catered to the driver, but now EVs feel more like a family car where the kids can also interact. The onboard entertainment is diverse, featuring story-telling applications and music platforms that seamlessly connect with personal accounts on mobile devices.” After switching to an EV, she has started to enjoy driving more. “I can pre-warm the car’s climate control remotely, so when I get in during winter, it’s already cozy. The seating is quite comfortable too, which makes long trips easier on the back.”

Mr. Liu compares gasoline cars to traditional mechanical watches while likening EVs to smartwatches. “There’s no denying that gasoline cars provide stable performance and have that characteristic feel, with the thrilling response of an internal combustion engine that can be quite exciting. However, in terms of acceleration, EVs are noticeably faster.” He feels that the electric drive brings a level of sophistication, especially with features like high-powered audio systems and intelligent driving capabilities that are more easily implemented.

During her search for an EV, Ms. Zhang was repeatedly impressed by the thoughtful design details. “Many EV manufacturers take user perspectives into account. There’s high engagement from owners, allowing for customization of everything from body color to wheel design and interior features, making it feel as though the car was made just for our family.” Previously, the choices for gasoline vehicles were quite limited, but now EVs offer a higher degree of personalization. “The whole family can participate in the decision-making process; for example, we all discussed the car’s color, and my child chose the wheel design. Manufacturers even offer products that link with the vehicle, which is quite interesting.”

Expectations
Improved Charging Infrastructure and a More Vibrant Used Market

“Honestly, I started considering switching to an EV back in 2021, but at the time, both the vehicles and the supporting infrastructure weren’t as developed as they are now,” Ms. Tang reflects. She acknowledges that vehicle technology has matured significantly and service has progressed, though charging infrastructure still needs improvement. “It would be great to have more public charging stations, especially in office building parking lots, allowing for on-the-go charging during work hours to save time.” She’s learned from friends that some EV owners have taken them on long trips, “traveling to Shanghai or even as far as Northeast China, which proves it’s doable. However, facilities for charging and battery swapping need to keep pace. If it takes three minutes to swap a battery but requires an hour to wait, that really detracts from the driving experience.”

Mr. Liu notes the challenges faced by those in Beijing, where relatively few are fortunate enough to have fixed parking spaces that allow for the installation of charging stations. “If you try using an external charging station, you might find it occupied by gasoline cars or have to deal with long lines due to high demand during peak hours,” he points out.

As temperatures drop, many EV owners are grappling with “range anxiety” once again. “The battery drains quickly in winter, leading to a significant reduction in range, which increases the frequency of charging. Sometimes, I have to look for charging stations late at night,” shares Mr. Zhao, observing that insurance for EVs is generally higher compared to gasoline vehicles in the same price range, while resale values tend to be lower. “Especially after battery degradation, the car loses much of its value. I hope future measures can be implemented to invigorate the second-hand EV market and fully realize the value of these vehicles, alleviating concerns about switching cars again.”