[maxerickson]

Nor are people spending $30,000 on a vehicle showing particularly price sensitive behavior.

Lots of fine vehicles available for $15,000, $15,000 is an awful lot of gas (and you save on insurance and financing with a cheaper vehicle, so the lower maintenance on the electric isn't the only consideration).

[chk_ur_autism]

Maybe it's not just about cost, but about driving a vehicle that doesn't directly contribute to diffused emissions? And use motor oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, belts, etc?

[antisthenes]

If you're going to compare long term maintenance costs, you absolutely have to include the battery pack replacement cost. Otherwise you're being disingenuous or even deceptive.

Many '11-'12 Leaf owners are already complaining about significantly reduced ranges on their vehicles. What happens after 60,000 miles if your battery starts rapidly going under 9 bars?

Keep driving with terrible range anxiety? Plan your routes with chargers in mind? Have a stopless commute now require you to stop and charge, making trips even longer?

Replace the battery pack?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1111264_new-life-for-old...

Whoops, that's going to be $6,200.

[smileysteve]

> If you're going to compare long term maintenance costs, you absolutely have to include the battery pack replacement cost.

> Keep driving with terrible range anxiety?

If we're bringing all of this up; we must consider the reliability increase as well.