Did you know that electric vehicles face 80% more problems if not maintained properly? Yes, despite the fact that electric vehicle maintenance is cheaper, not caring for your car may cause you significant losses down the road.
Your EV might be smart – but electric vehicles play by their own rules and these 7 must-know tips on how to properly maintain your car and save thousands of dollars.
Keep reading to learn more.
Electric cars are attracting more and more consumers now and the primary reason is their low maintenance when compared to gasoline cars. This is mainly because there are fewer components to wear out or break down in an EV and hence the chances of a problem occurring are much less than that of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
A major advantage of electric vehicles is that they don’t have engines so no engine oil either – something that’s crucial to maintain in traditional internal combustion engines. Therefore, no oil changes are required.
This eliminates one of the most frequent maintenance tasks usually done for gas cars. So just enjoy the savings and skip those oil changes altogether.
The regenerative braking system in EVs is extremely efficient and captures energy during braking to recharge the batteries during the trip. This helps reduce the wear and tear on brake pads and thus, makes them last at least 2 or 3 times longer than those in ICE vehicles.
Despite the less wear and tear, the brake pads still deteriorate over time and need to be replaced so have them changed every 60,000 to 80,000 miles and check brake fluid every 2-3 years.
Your EV maintains its battery system via a software that monitors the battery health, efficiency, keeps a check on the temperature and also regulates the battery cooling system to make sure it functions properly.
Just so you know, a new battery could cost from $5,000 to $20,000 and you may want to save that money for the rainy days instead.
Check for system updates regularly and keep the software updated. Schedule regular inspection of your EV batteries every 15,000 miles (or as recommended by your car manufacturer). The average battery health is 15 years, but with the right electric vehicle battery maintenance, it can last up to 20 years. Note that the battery of an electric vehicle can also be repaired but that should only be done by qualified professionals.
First time buying an EV? Here are 10 must-know questions to ask before you get one!
Just like gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles also need regular tire rotations and wheel alignments to make sure that the tires wear evenly and give their maximum performance.
Sometimes, the excessive weight of the battery pack (especially for long-range EVs with bigger battery packs) can also lead to additional tire wear, which makes tire care all the more important. Furthermore, the weight of the battery pack can in certain cases make tires wear down more frequently.
Rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles and check wheel alignment every 6 to 8 months to make sure the treads of the tires deteriorate evenly. If you keep driving with misaligned tires, the wear will be uneven which will cause some of your tires to deteriorate faster than others and compromise your vehicle safety.
Electric vehicles rely on the coolants that cool down the battery and keep it at optimal temperatures. Battery coolant system can also decline in performance due to issues like coolant leaks, clogged channels, corrosion within the system etc.
You need to check and maintain the cooling system according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually every 50,000 miles. This will help prevent excessive battery temperatures and maintain the battery performance. The cost of this service might be around $400-600.
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While a majority of EV models do not feature a conventional transmission, there are a few models that use a reduction gear system that you need to maintain by changing the fluid from time to time to make sure that gears run smoothly.
Read your EV’s instruction manual for the specific intervals, they usually range from 30,000-50,000 miles. This service usually costs from $100 to $300.
Electric vehicles have high-voltage components and a wiring system that powers them and needs inspection for wear and tear. If your vehicle is being driven regularly (day-to-day travels, long drives etc.), the cables, connectors and electrical system may face frequent issues if not checked regularly.
Have your mechanic or service center professional analyze and inspect your EV’s electrical system every 6-8 months for wear and tear, disconnections or possible damage risks.
According to 98% of EV owners, our EV maintenance isn’t just more convenient, it’s also cheaper in the long run. With fewer parts to replace and no oil changes needed, you can save up to $15,900 per vehicle over its lifetime on maintenance expenses if you tick the electric vehicle maintenance checklist above regularly. So this means fewer visits to your mechanic and more time for fun on the road.
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