Here’s the good news. Maintaining a battery-operated electric vehicle is rather simple. It actually requires less maintenance than a conventional car. Here are a few simple things you need to keep in mind.
Servicing
An EV has a simple powertrain that doesn’t require much servicing. Replacing battery packs and electric motors is expensive but very rare. EV powertrains last for years and tens of thousands of miles. They also have long warranties on them because the manufacturers know how reliable they are.
Routine Maintenance
Certain parts may require attention from time to time. In EVs, the brake wear is comparatively lower than that on a conventional vehicle, thanks to the regenerative braking system that slows the car down while charging the battery. But occasionally, brake fluid and brake components will require replacement. The transmission may require a fluid change during the EV’s life but check your manual to understand when it’s needed. EVs use a coolant to keep the charger, inverter, and battery pack cool. Occasional coolant flushes may be required to maintain efficiency. The only parts that require regular maintenance like conventional cars are the tires. These need to be rotated as per the manufacturer’s specifications and changed when needed.
Battery Life
The electric motor and battery pack in your EV will degrade over time, just like mechanical parts in a conventional car. However, there are ways in which you can prolong the life of your precious battery packs. Remember to avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures as they negatively affect performance. Most EVs will have auxiliary heating and cooling systems to maintain battery packs at optimum levels. Also, avoid fully charging and depleting the battery regularly. This will degrade the battery pack. Manufacturers also build safeties in the system to prevent 100% charging to limit battery degradation. Level 2 chargers are the best way to charge your EV regularly. Using a fast charger all the time can also contribute to battery degradation. In fact, regular fast charging can degrade batteries faster than Level 2 charging.
And that’s it. Buying an EV is a smart move. Luckily, you don’t need to do much to keep it running smoothly for years.