Electric cars have become very popular because they are good for the environment, cheaper to run, and have some pretty cool technology. Like any vehicle, they do need periodic maintenance to ensure they run well and efficiently. If you are new to owning an EV or thinking about EV ownership, you probably asked, “What maintenance does an electric car need, anyway?’ This article is designed to help you simple and straightforward basics about maintenance for an electric vehicle.
Why is Electric Car Maintenance Different?
Electric cars don’t have as many parts that move around when compared to gas cars. This mean you don’t need to spend as much money fixing them. They need fixing, just way less than gas cars. Still, every car needs repairs so EVs will need some care to help everything work nicely.
Types of Maintenance Electric Cars Need
Electric car maintenance can generally be divided into six main areas:
- Battery Maintenance
- Importance: The battery is the heart of any electric car. Its lifespan is a major factor in the overall longevity of your vehicle. Most modern electric car batteries last between 8 to 15 years, depending on usage, care, and climate.
- Key Tips:
- Avoid letting the battery drop to 0% or charge it to 100% frequently; keeping it between 20-80% can improve its lifespan.
- Monitor the battery health and charge cycles using apps provided by the manufacturer.
- If you don’t drive your EV often, try to charge it at least once a month.
- Avoid letting the battery drop to 0% or charge it to 100% frequently; keeping it between 20-80% can improve its lifespan.
- Importance: The battery is the heart of any electric car. Its lifespan is a major factor in the overall longevity of your vehicle. Most modern electric car batteries last between 8 to 15 years, depending on usage, care, and climate.
- Tire Care
- Importance: EVs are heavier than traditional cars due to the battery, which places more stress on the tires. This makes regular tire care crucial.
- Key Tips:
- Check tire pressure regularly as improper inflation can cause uneven wear and reduce range.
- Rotate the tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to ensure even wear and extend their lifespan.
- Replace tires that show signs of significant wear or damage.
- Check tire pressure regularly as improper inflation can cause uneven wear and reduce range.
- Importance: EVs are heavier than traditional cars due to the battery, which places more stress on the tires. This makes regular tire care crucial.
- Brake System
- Importance: Electric vehicles use regenerative braking, which helps recharge the battery while slowing the car down. This system reduces wear on traditional brake components.
- Key Tips:
- While EVs don’t need brake maintenance as often as conventional cars, it’s still important to check the brake pads for wear.
- Ensure the brake fluid levels are appropriate and replace it if necessary.
- While EVs don’t need brake maintenance as often as conventional cars, it’s still important to check the brake pads for wear.
- Importance: Electric vehicles use regenerative braking, which helps recharge the battery while slowing the car down. This system reduces wear on traditional brake components.
- Cooling System
- Importance: Electric vehicles, like any advanced machinery, require cooling systems for the battery and motor. Without proper cooling, the car’s performance could suffer.
- Key Tips:
- Make sure the cooling system is functioning properly and has no leaks.
- Periodically inspect the coolant levels and top them up if needed.
- Make sure the cooling system is functioning properly and has no leaks.
- Importance: Electric vehicles, like any advanced machinery, require cooling systems for the battery and motor. Without proper cooling, the car’s performance could suffer.
- Software Updates
- Importance: Many EVs are equipped with advanced software that controls everything from battery management to driving modes. Manufacturers often release software updates to improve vehicle performance.
- Key Tips:
- Ensure your EV’s software is up to date. You may receive automatic updates or notifications to do so.
- Schedule regular check-ups with your dealer or follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to maintain the software.
- Ensure your EV’s software is up to date. You may receive automatic updates or notifications to do so.
- Importance: Many EVs are equipped with advanced software that controls everything from battery management to driving modes. Manufacturers often release software updates to improve vehicle performance.
- General Inspections
- Importance: Even though EVs have fewer moving parts, a general inspection of key components like lights, windshield wipers, and air filters is still essential.
- Key Tips:
- Inspect the car’s lights and wipers regularly.
- Replace cabin air filters to maintain good air quality inside the car.
- Have the suspension system checked for any signs of wear and tear.
- Inspect the car’s lights and wipers regularly.
- Importance: Even though EVs have fewer moving parts, a general inspection of key components like lights, windshield wipers, and air filters is still essential.
Benefits of Proper EV Maintenance
Taking care of your electric car offers lots of advantages:
- Batteries last longer: Keeping up with the basics ensures the battery holds its range and efficiency longer, battery maintenance range efficiency longer.
- Improved Safety: Accident risks are lowered when you make sure the systems of the car, brakes, tires etc, are all functioning perfectly.
- Saves you Money: Keeping up with the basics helps you avoid costly repairs that come up when maintenance is ignored.
- Environmental Benefits: A well-kept EV is an eco-friendly automobile, further decreasing your carbon footprint.
- Sustainability: A well-maintained electric vehicle (EV) is an eco-friendly automobile, helping you decrease your carbon footprint.
How Often Should I Perform Electric Car Maintenance?
How often you maintain your vehicle depends mainly on the make and model. Still, here are some general guidelines:
- Annually, perform a battery health check.
- Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles and checked for air pressure every month.
- Brakes need to be checked every 10,000 miles. This includes the pads and fluid.
- You should be doing a vehicle general inspection every 12,000 miles.
Common Myths About Electric Car Maintenance
- Some people think that ‘EVs don’t need any maintenance.
This is not the case. EVs don’t need as much maintenance as traditional cars, but there are still regular assessments necessary so that they don’t encounter any issues.
- Some people think that ‘EV batteries degrade quickly.
This is not the case. EV batteries can last a very long time, in some cases, collecting up to 15 years.
- Some people think that ‘EVs have no resale value because their batteries wear out.
This is not the case. EVs retain good resale value if properly maintained as their batteries are almost entirely replaced.
Do electric cars ever need oil changes?
Nope, electric cars don’t need oil changes. They don’t have combustion engines.
How often do I need to replace my electric cars battery?
Batteries last anywhere from 8 to 15 years, depending on how you use the car. For exact details, talk to your manufacturer.
Is it costly to keep an electric car?
Not really. They tend to be cheaper to look after than gasoline cars. They have fewer moving parts. Just keep the costly battery replacements in mind.
How long do the tires of an electric car last?
They last around 30,000 to 50,000 miles. That of course, depends on how you drive and the condition of the roads.
Can I do electric cars maintenance on my own?
Some maintenance like checking tire pressure or changing the cabin filter, you can do. For the rest, it’s better to let a pro handle it.
Conclusion
If you want to go green and save some cash on gas, electric cars are a great option. Probably less than a gas-powered car, EVs also need less maintenance. Still, some EV service and upkeep are necessary to guarantee proper functioning for more than the 5 years guaranteed. Neglecting worn EV millions will harm smooth and reliable rides for years.