Electric vehicles are also known as Plug-in electric vehicles or EVs are safe and easy to maintain compared to conventional vehicles. Once, you’ve picked an economical electric vehicle (EV) as per your requirement, you must be worried about how much it will cost to service. Well, you needn’t be! We’re here to showcase you how electric vehicles are the best alternatives for petrol and diesel vehicles. Keep reading for the answers related to maintenance and service cost of an electric vehicle. While driving conditions and habits will influence vehicle operation and vehicle range, but some best practices can help you maximize your all-electric range.
An electric car does need servicing at the same intervals as any conventional car. There will be regular servicing related to tyre wear and tear, windscreen wiper replacement, brake fluid changes.
The very first thing to keep in mind for an electric vehicle is not to keep the tyre pressures low as low tyre pressures can be unsafe and they’ll reduce your range. You can expect around a 1% drop if your tyres are five pounds per square inch (PSI) below the recommended figure.
Well, the maintenance of an electric vehicle is a lot less than a conventional model, that’s for sure. Though electric vehicles may still cost more to buy than the conventionally powered counterparts, they’re generally cheaper to keep maintaining via affordable home charging. Electric vehicles also save their owners cash on a continuing basis via lower long-term service &maintenance costs.
The reason why EVs need less maintenance because EVs eliminate over two-dozen mechanical components that would normally require periodic service. An EV owner avoids having to pay for things like tune-ups, oil changes, cooling system flushes, replacing the air filter, spark plugstransmission servicing and drive belts. As per research, electric vehicle owners spend roughly a third of what conventionally powered auto owners do for regular service.
Still, an EV is not maintenance-free. Periodic checks and services are required to keep the vehicle in good condition. There are possibilities that you end up paying more if you do not follow the recommended schedule.
Apart from tyre rotation, topping off the washer fluid, replacing the cabin air filter and wiper blades and other mechanical inspections, it is advised to get the routine tasks checked by a trained technician. Let’ see what exactly the monthly and yearly checkup should be done by an EV owner
Monthly:
Check the tyre pressure and adjust as necessary. Every 7,500 miles, have the tyres rotated. Check the coolant level for the battery, cabin heater, and the power inverter, accessory power, and many more modules. Visually check for fluid leaks. Inspect the brakes. Visually inspect the steering, suspension, and chassis components for damage. Inspect the power steeringand drive shafts for excessive wear, leaks, or damage. Check the restraint (airbags) system. Lubricate body components (door locks). Check the accelerator pedal for damage, high effort, or binding and replace if necessary. Visually inspect the gas struts (suspension) for signs of wear, cracks, or other damage. Check the tyre sealant expiration date, if equipped to seal and inflate a damaged tyre temporarily.
Twice a year:
Flush corrosive materials (i.e. road salt) from the underbody using plain water.
Replace the windshield wiper blades every 15,000 miles.Replace the cabin air filter every 36,000 miles, and replace the hood and/or body lift support gas strutsevery 75,000 miles.
Every five years:
Drain and fill the vehicle coolant circuits. Replace the brake fluid.
Every seven years:
Has the air conditioning desiccant changed? (it absorbs and holds moisture in a mobile air conditioning system to help prevent corrosion).
Conclusion
When the time comes to service an electric car, you ensure that the garage has staff that are skilled in electric car maintenance. Regarding battery life and warranty, check with your dealer. Much like traditional conventional cars, electric cars might have minor and major services. This is because not all parts of a car need checking or replacing as regularly as others, so for some services it is okay to skip a few parts.