I bought a used Chevy Bolt EV a couple years ago and it's been mostly trouble-free. The only thing I've had to replace so far have been tires and windshield washer fluid. Eventually I'll have to replace the coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, 12V lead-acid battery, shocks and struts, etc. but I never have to deal with oil changes or timing belts or any of the usual engine stuff. The main battery was replaced under a recall before I got it, with a warranty. I used a fuel savings calculator before I bought it and figured out that I'd be saving about $1,000 per year by not buying gas, and that was when gas was about $3.50 per gallon. So including maintenance costs compared to my old car, it's saving me around $2,000 per year, and will pay for itself in about 4 years of driving.
Pretty much any modern EV with a liquid-cooled battery will be more reliable and will last longer than an equivalent gas car. I'd stay away from the first generation Nissan Leaf, unless you get a really good deal and have a short commute, because range degrades quickly with those. You also might also look at a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) like the Toyota Prius Prime, Ford C-Max, or Chevy Volt. In some states they also qualify for EV tax credits. Also, check if your electrical utility company has rebates or incentives for installing a level 2 charger in your garage, or charging at certain hours.