Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to maintain compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. That’s the belief most have and it is certainly the case when we compare the maintenance costs of the Proton eMas 7 and X70.
Both are C-segment SUVs that overlap in terms of pricing, with the eMas 7 ranging from RM105,800 to RM119,800 (OTR without insurance), while the X70 retails between RM99,800 and RM126,800. As such, buyers will have to decide if they are willing to adjust their lifestyle if they go the EV route to save a buck, or stick with the familiar visits to a petrol station.
So, just how much do you save on maintenance with the eMas 7. Well, based on official data from Proton, the eMas 7 will cost you just RM1,575.48 over five years. By comparison, it is RM3,612.58 or 229% more with the X70, which has a grand total of RM5,188.06 over the same period.
Internal combustion engine (ICE) cars require more consumables compared to EVs, and based on the X70’s maintenance schedule, we see plenty of that over five years. Beyond the standard five-year warranty, the X70 also requires timing and drive belt changes at the 110,000-km/66-month mark that adds another RM236.52 to the bill before labour.
As for the eMas 7, Proton only lists four items in its maintenance schedule, which include reduction gear oil, electric motor coolant, brake fluid and cabin filter changes. The Proton EV’s service interval is also longer than the X70, as summarised here:
- First service: eMas 7 (5,000 km/3 months); X70 (1,000 km/1 month)
- Second service: eMas 7 (25,000 km/12 months); X70 (10,000 km/6 months)
- Subsequent service after the second: eMas 7 (every 20,000 km/12 months); X70 (every 10,000 km/6 months)
Of course, there is more to ownership cost than the occasional visit to the service centre. Tyres are wear and items to keep in mind, and in this regard, the eMas 7 is pretty comparable to the X70. The former has wheel sizes ranging from 18 to 19 inches, while the X70 starts at 17 inches and goes up to 19 inches. The eMas 7 also uses regular tyres rather than specialised EV-specific tyres that are more expensive, so prices of tyres are pretty much the same with the X70.
Additionally, the eMas 7 has a kerb weight of between 1,662 and 1,765 kg, which is not that much more than the X70 that is from 1,585 to 1,610 kg (the biggest margin is 180 kg). With regenerative braking, it is very likely the eMas 7’s brake pads will last longer compared to the X70.
With the current incentives for EVs, you won’t need to pay for road tax with the eMas 7, at least until the end of this year. Next year will see the implementation of a new kilowatt (kW)-based road tax structure for EVs, and with 160 kW, you’ll need to pay RM180 in 2026. The X70 with its 1.5 litre (1,477 cc) turbocharged inline-three petrol engine and “jip” classification has an annual road tax of RM90.
On the matter of battery replacement, Proton says it will provide a full replacement if the state of health falls below 70% within 160,000 km or eight years – BYD and Chery also offer this. The battery is the most expensive component of an EV, so there’s some peace of mind if you make the switch.
In summary, the eMas 7 is cheaper to maintain over 100,000 km/60 months compared to the X70. This isn’t surprising but the switch to an EV requires an adjustment to your lifestyle as there are some things that require your attention.
Fully charged, the top-spec eMas 7 Premium offers as much as 410 km of range following the WLTP standard (345 km for the Prime). Should you happen to be away from home (assuming you have a wallbox) and need to charge up, you’ll have to find a nearby charging station, which may not be conveniently located, and spend time to top up the battery. Both variants of the eMas 7 (Prime, 49.52 kWh; Premium, 60.22 kWh) support DC fast charging that gets the battery from a 30-80% state of charge (SoC) in 20 minutes.
However, this is only possible with public DC fast chargers, and most homes only have an AC wallbox. With AC charging, the eMas 7 can only handle 11 kW, with a 10-80% SoC taking 4.9 hours (Prime) or 6.1 hours (Premium). Petrol stations are more abundant and it will take less time to fuel up an X70, which has a 60-litre fuel tank and a claimed fuel consumption of 7.3 litres per 100 km (theoretically over 800 km with a full tank).
Making the switch to an EV and enjoying the significantly lower maintenance cost is a positive thing as the numbers indicate, but are you willing to make the changes to have an EV in your life? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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