Electric motors have far fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines. This means electric cars often require far less maintenance than their gas-burning counterparts. Still, EVs require regular maintenance.
This includes familiar tasks such as rotating the tires, replacing various fluids, and changing out cabin air filters. There are also a number of EV-specific services that drivers of these battery-electric vehicles need to keep on top of.
Battery Maintenance Of Electric Vehicle
If used in moderate climates, the current generation of EV batteries, according to the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will have service lives ranging from 12 to 15 years. If regular use takes place in harsh environments, this falls to between 8 and 12 years.
Regardless, EV batteries only require minimal upkeep throughout their lifespan. Having said that, there are a number of things that drivers can do to make their electric vehicle’s battery pack last longer.
Steer Clear of Extreme Temperatures
For batteries, extreme temperatures—both hot and cold—are their nemesis. Automakers figure this the advancement of their EVs, fitting them with the essential assistant cooling and warming frameworks to assist with keeping the temperature of the battery at OK levels.
Don’t Plan to Use Fast Chargers All the Time
- Despite their ease of use, fast chargers degrade battery packs more quickly than slower charging at 120 or 240 volts.
- In the relatively early stages of modern EVs, it is unknown precisely how fast charging affects battery life. Obviously, in an excursion situation, quick charging is essential and there’s no great explanation to stay away from it.
- It is not a good idea to purchase an electric vehicle with the intention of exclusively using fast charging, both from a cost and battery life standpoint.
EV Maintenance vs. Gas Cars
Changing over power into mechanical energy makes intensity, and like gas vehicles, electric vehicles need to keep their powertrain parts cool to guarantee everything keeps on filling in as it ought to. Some people do this with air, while others use some kind of coolant or refrigerant to keep the parts from getting too hot.
Keep an Eye on Brake Fluid and Pads
In a similar manner, the binders of gasoline and electric vehicles are controlled by brake fluid. No matter what the powertrain of your vehicle is, it is necessary to flush and change this fluid on a regular basis. Ford recommends changing the brake fluid in the Mach-E and Lightning every three years, though replacement times vary depending on the vehicle and manufacturer.
Tire Wear
Maybe this one’s a bit obvious, but yes, you still need to replace the tires on your EV. In fact, you may even have to replace them more frequently. Partial blame goes to the extra weight of EVs (batteries are heavy). We suspect this is to help boost the range figure. But this decreases these all-season tires’ lifespan. The ones mounted to our Model 3 required replacing after 30,000 miles and set us back a whopping $1157.