Considering the substantial price of purchasing electric vehicles, it may lead one to believe that the maintenance and repair costs for EVs are exorbitant when compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. However, the truth is that EVs are more affordable and simpler to maintain due to their fewer components. We have thoroughly examined all the essential information regarding maintenance and repair of electric cars for EV owners.
In a few instances, the maintenance costs to replace some critical parts like the batteries and Motor when they get to the end of life (about 15- 20 years) could be quite expensive. Aside from this, all other components are less expensive to maintain, and repair.
Common Electric Car Maintenance and Repair
Electric cars have few moving parts and hence do not require frequent maintenance, but that doesn’t imply they are maintenance free. Quite a lot of Electric vehicle maintenance items are simple DIY items you can carry out in your home garage.
Battery Maintenance:
The battery is a crucial part of an electric vehicle, and a good maintenance is necessary for extending its lifespan. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the United States stated that an average EV battery is expected to last between 12 to 15 years or longer if well maintained. Tesla CEO Elon Musk once mentioned that its batteries are designed to last the life of a vehicle, estimated at about 200,000 miles to 300,000 miles, with the capacity to last 1500 charging cycles.
To extend your EV battery life span, the below battery maintenance tips were suggested by KIA automobiles and other auto experts.
Electric Car Battery Maintenance Tips
1. Refrain from overcharging or fully draining the battery: Overcharging an EV battery may result in overheating. While the majority of electric cars come with internal battery management technologies that aid in avoiding overheating, you want to make sure you do not deliberately overcharge or drain your EV battery. Maintaining a maximum charging at 80% rather than 100% might increase battery life.
2. Avoiding Extremely high temperatures: Exposing your EV to extreme heat when parked would cause damage to your battery; as the built-in automated temperature control system will drain your battery in an attempt to keep the car temperature down for optimal performance.
3. Do not run down the battery to Zero: Parking or storing an EV for long could degrade the battery. You might consider getting a timed charger and setting it just above the low mark so an not to allow it to drain totally before charging, as well as not to overcharge. You might consider a setting of 25 to 80 percent.
4. Avoid Rapid Charging: Rapid charging is much more convenient, but it has the tendency to damage your EV battery over time. Rapid charger sends loads of current into the battery to make it charge faster.
5. Allow the Battery to cool down before Charging: Do not charge your battery when the car is still very hot. Instead, allow it to cool down to reduce the strain on the built-in temperature control system before charging.
6. Ease of the Accelerator. Driving at a smooth speed would help maintain the rate at which you drain the car battery.
Electric Motor Maintenance:
An electric vehicle motor can be likened to the Internal combustion engine of a gas-powered car. However, there is a wide difference between both. Whereas the conventional gas-powered engine has a lot of moving components (such as piston, crankshaft, fuel injector, engine oil, sparkplug, etc) that require regular maintenance, the reverse is the case with Electric Motor.
Electric vehicles require less maintenance they have fewer moving parts (rotor, shaft, etc),. The motor is the heart of an electric vehicle as this is what powers the wheels.
Most of the maintenance tips for electric motors are technical in nature and already covered within your warranty policy by your vehicle manufacturer. So, don’t stress
If your EV is out of warranty, we’ve listed some of the motor maintenance tips that need to be carried out by your technician. You shouldn’t bother attempting this if you don’t have the requisite knowledge and experience. Each manufacturer has its own maintenance schedule so Please check your Owner’s manual for more details.
EV Motor Maintenance Tips
- Carry out periodic maintenance procedures as defined by your vehicle manufacturer.
- Check the motor lubrication level for optimal performance.
- Bearing Checks to prevent wearing.
- Inspection of rotor and stator. (also regarded at the heart of your motor)
- Updating your maintenance log for any observation or replacement.
Routine Maintenance Checkups:
Electric cars need regular inspections and service just like any other type of vehicle. Like
- Checking the brakes,
- Flushing brake fluid,
- Suspension checks and replacement.
- Filling the wiper fluid
- Wiper blade replacement
- Tyre rotation and tyre pressure checks.
- Cabin air filter replacement,
- Flushing the battery thermal management coolant.
- Inspecting the battery coolant pump for leak,
- Inspecting battery coolant hoses and fitting for leaks or corrosion.
- This scheduled maintenance would save your vehicle from brake-downs and embarrassment.
Brake Maintenance
Unlike conventional vehicles that generate a lot of heat resulting in frequent wear and tear of the braking system, EVs adopt a regenerative braking system that uses electric motor’s resistance to slow the vehicle down to prevent heating of the system.
Because of this, EV brake pads and discs tend to last longer than conventional gas-powered cars. Nonetheless, make sure you check the brake every 24 months or as suggested in your Owner’s manual.
Tyre Checks
Car Tyres are a critical component of electric Vehicles, as a slight vibration can shorten battery life. Due to the heavy weight of the batteries, they exert more pressure on your car tires causing more frequent wear and tear and the need to replace the tires compared to gasoline vehicles.
Also, Electric cars are renowned for their high torque capability which results in a greater acceleration and responsiveness than that of ICE. Excellent performance results from this, especially while driving in a metropolis. The increased acceleration and responsiveness result in quicker wearing of the tyres.
Program Updates:
Software updates for electric vehicles are frequently released, and they may improve performance, boost economy, and solve faults. It’s essential to stay current with these upgrades to ensure the car continues to operate as intended.
Managing the charging infrastructure in good condition:
No matter if they are at home or in a public location, EV owners should have access to a dependable charging station. For effective charging, the charging cable and connections must be kept clean and in excellent condition. Avoid using rapid chargers as much as you can as this would help prolong your battery life span
Benefits of Maintaining an EV Car
There are many benefits you stand to gain if you carry out your electric car maintenance and repair at scheduled intervals. We’ve highlighted a few below.
Reduced Operating Costs: A well-maintained EV battery would retain enough charge to cover your journey there by reducing the need for frequent charge.
Increased Battery Life Span: Most EV batteries have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. With good maintenance, you can be guaranteed a long battery life.
Conclusion
Numerous advantages come with carrying out regular electric car maintenance and repair, such as enhanced performance, lower running costs, and favorable environmental effects. An EV needs regular maintenance in order to operate as efficiently and in the long term as possible. This maintenance includes battery pack care, frequent inspections, and software upgrades, among others.
FAQ
Do Electric Car Need Oil Change?
No, Electric cars do not use Engine oil or Oil filters as seen with gasoline engines. Because of this, Electric vehicles do not require engine oil changes. This does not mean your EV is totally oil-free. There might be some other components such as the braking system requiring brake fluid change. Please check your owner’s manual for other maintenance needs.
