I've been driving EVs for over a decade now-started with a Leaf back in 2012-and one thing that still gets tossed around without enough scrutiny is the "total cost of ownership" for EVs versus gas guzzlers. Sure, the sticker price on premium models like the Tesla Model S or Rivian R1T can make your eyes water, but folks often cite lower fuel and maintenance savings as the great equalizer. I'm not buying it wholesale anymore, especially with rising electricity rates and battery degradation hitting resale values harder than expected.
Has anyone crunched numbers on real-world TCO for high-mileage drivers in 2023-2024? I'm talking including insurance premiums (which are spiking for EVs due to repair costs), potential home charger installs, and the hit from tariffs on imported batteries. I saw a study from AAA claiming EVs save $10k over 5 years, but that was pre-inflation and ignored regional grid costs. Show me your spreadsheets or long-term ownership logs-let's debate if the math still holds up in a world where gas is hovering at $3.50/gallon but your utility bill just jumped 20%. What's your take?