Vegas investigator found the hidden costs of owning an EV, the bottom line might be higher than we realize
Published on Jul 19, 2025 at 10:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jul 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Las Vegas has found the hidden costs of owning an EV, such as a Tesla, and they might be higher than we realized.
Many have been debating exactly how much an electric car costs and if it really is cheaper than carrying on with internal-combustion-powered cars.
But a Las Vegas investigator has looked at what the hidden costs of EVs are, in a segment for news channel 8 News Now, and how much they add up to.
The results of the investigation were fascinating and added a few more interesting elements to the electric vehicle conundrum.
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What are the hidden costs of owning an EV?
The report spoke to some Tesla EV owners to gauge how they felt about the cars, and the vast majority were very complimentary.
The lack of mechanical components means maintenance is easier, with fewer things to go wrong on an EV.
However, one area where costs for an electric car could be higher is when it comes to insurance.
The investigation found that Teslas are more expensive to insure compared to other vehicles.
For example, the 2023 Tesla Model X could cost some owners around $7,417 to insure for the year.
That compares to the 2023 Ford Escape, which the investigation found could be insured at $6,346.
Other costs could impact those owning electric cars
Even more alarming was that a 2023 Toyota Camry costs $4,414 to insure.
The 2023 Nissan Altima was comparable $4,422 for the owner to insure for 12 months.
The investigation found out that some insurers won’t even look at an EV without a two-week waiting period or approval.
While there are fewer parts to look after on a Tesla, the damage costs could be higher than on a regular car.
With so many electrical systems, sensors, and computers, damage to Teslas could be pricey.
Las Vegas only has one official Tesla shop, and other garages may be unable to fix the cars.
This adds further intrigue to the whole debate surrounding electric vehicles versus internal-combustion engines.
Yet other studies find that over 50 percent of people are considering owning an EV.
But as this investigation found out, there are plenty of hurdles still for Teslas and other electric-car brands.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
