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Mechanic Analyzes Warranties, Battery Cost, and Depreciation and Says That Keeping an Electric Car for Ten Years May Generate Expenses Much Greater Than the Consumer Imagines
The debate about the profitability of electric cars in the long run has gained strength on social media after a direct warning made by a specialized mechanic. In a video that went viral on TikTok, the professional responsible for the profile Hermetic Garage analyzed consumption costs, maintenance, warranties, and, mainly, the financial impact of the battery over ten years of use.
This information was shared by the Hermetic Garage profile in a video widely shared on social media, and it resonated in specialized portals and automotive forums. According to the mechanic, although electric cars are often presented as an economical and sustainable solution, the financial reality can be more complex than advertising campaigns suggest.
Right at the beginning of the video, the expert gets straight to the point: “Thinking about buying an electric car? I would say think twice”. This statement draws attention precisely because it comes from someone who understands the practical functioning of vehicles, not just the institutional discourse of the automotive industry.
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Throughout the analysis, he makes it clear that electric cars have real advantages, but emphasizes that these initial savings may not offset certain financial risks that arise over the years, especially for those who plan to keep the vehicle for a decade or more.
Consumption Savings Exist, But Have an Expiration Date
Initially, the mechanic acknowledges the main arguments used by automakers and defenders of electrification. According to him, fuel savings are undeniable. In his calculations, traveling 100 kilometers in an electric car costs about 2.70 euros, while a gasoline model may spend approximately 10 euros for the same distance.
This data aligns with energy efficiency studies that point to electric vehicles as more efficient in energy use. Additionally, he highlights that maintenance in the early years tends to be cheaper, as the electric car has fewer mechanical components subject to constant wear, such as clutches, exhaust systems, and complex transmission systems.
However, shortly after, the mechanic makes an important caveat. For him, this initial savings do not last indefinitely and need to be analyzed within a long-term horizon. The central question of the analysis is clear: “What happens when we talk about the average lifespan of a car in ten years?”.
It is precisely from this point that, according to the expert, the risks arise that many consumers ignore at the time of purchase.
Limited Warranty and Battery Can Become An Expensive Problem
The main focus of the warning is on the battery, considered the most expensive component of an electric car. According to the mechanic, most manufacturers offer warranties of about eight years or between 150,000 and 160,000 kilometers. This period serves as initial protection for the consumer but creates a critical point right after the coverage ends.
“What happens after ten years?”, the mechanic questions in the video. According to him, if the battery shows failures outside the warranty, the owner could face an extremely high cost. In his estimates, repair or replacement of the battery could cost between 10,000 and 15,000 euros, or even more, depending on the model.
In many cases, this amount approaches or even exceeds the market price of the used car itself, making the repair financially unfeasible. The expert acknowledges that not all batteries fail immediately after the warranty ends, but warns that simple degradation already brings significant consequences.
He cites as an example a vehicle that maintains about 70% of the battery’s original capacity. Although the car continues to operate, the reduced autonomy impacts daily use and, mainly, the perceived value of the vehicle in the market. This wear, according to him, directly weighs on the owner’s pocket in the medium and long term.
Depreciation and Uncertainty Affect Resale Value
Another central point of the analysis is the used electric car market. The mechanic invites the audience to put themselves in the position of someone who intends to buy an electric vehicle with eight or nine years of use. For him, the uncertainty about the condition of the battery generates immediate distrust.
In practice, the buyer knows they might inherit, at any moment, a high expense related to the energy storage system. This perception, according to the expert, reduces the value the market is willing to pay and directly affects the vehicle’s liquidity.
Additionally, he highlights that electric cars may take longer to sell, precisely because of the fear of a costly battery replacement. In comparison, combustion models still offer a more predictable wear dynamic, known by mechanics and consumers over decades.
“A gasoline car, if you plan to keep it for ten years, is a more predictable type of car,” he says. In the mechanic’s evaluation, traditional vehicles tend to retain better resale value and find a market more easily, as they do not carry the uncertainty associated with the battery’s lifespan.
Is An Electric Car Today Savings or Financial Risk?
Despite the criticisms, the expert makes it clear that he does not ignore the technological advancement of the sector. He acknowledges that new generations of batteries are being developed and that, in the future, replacement costs and durability are expected to improve significantly.
Still, the warning is directed at the consumer who intends to buy an electric car now and keep it for many years. For this profile, especially in countries where the used market is still adapting to electric technology and where there is not always a specialized network for complex repairs, the decision may represent a real financial risk.
“Buying an electric car today, if you plan to keep it for a long time, is a financial risk,” the mechanic summarizes. At the end of the video, he leaves two questions that sparked the debate on social media: “Had you thought about this? Had you seen it this way?”.
As the automotive industry accelerates the transition to electrification, analyses like this help balance the discourse, showing that, in addition to promises of sustainability and efficiency, there are still significant economic challenges in the real use of electric cars over many years.
Trabalho com App em Belo Horizonte, adquiri um Dolphin Mini, no primeiro mês só de combustível economizei dois mil e oitocentos reais, mais quinhentos reais em troca de óleo e filtros, sem falar do conforto do dia a dia que a condução do carro elétrico proporciona, tem hora que nem acredito. Pelo que estou sentindo no dia a dia em um ano vou ter uma economia brutal, como a bateria tem oito anos de garantia, vejo que posso trabalhar tranquilo. Agora opiniões de quem o carro elétrico atualmente não interessa não me fazem temer o futuro.
Sempre soube destas desvantagens de ter um carro elétrico. Por conta disso, vou demorar adquirir um.
Tive um Audi 2.0T que passou dos 10 anos. Sempre dava **** em alguma coisa. Bobina, bico, bomba de água, etc. Com 200 mil km tive que fazer o motor inteiro e o turbo. Morri com 30 contos. Vcs não tem ideia do que vão sofrer com esses motores atuais no futuro.