Electric Vehicles (EVs) Maintenance Guide
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons. EVs do not produce harmful exhaust like gasoline-powered cars, contributing to cleaner air and better public health. Additionally, electric vehicles generally have a much lower ownership cost due to reduced maintenance needs. In fact, maintaining an electric vehicle costs about a third of what it takes to maintain a gasoline-powered car. EVs don’t require oil changes, tune-ups, or other regular auto maintenance but still need periodic care. Here are the key maintenance areas for keeping your EV in top shape.
EV Batteries
Batteries are crucial for powering EVs, making them a vital part of EV maintenance. Most EV manufacturers offer long battery warranties, up to 100,000 miles on some models. When an EV battery can no longer hold a charge, it needs to be replaced. While these specialized batteries have become more affordable in recent years, they can still be expensive. Here are some battery maintenance tips to help extend its life:
Understand EV Battery Limitations
EV batteries require cooling and heating systems to maintain optimal temperature levels. Batteries should be preheated in cold temperatures before rapid charging, and they perform best in a temperature range of 68°F to 77°F. Cooling is typically provided by a liquid system, while heating is managed by heat pumps or other thermal control components.
Fast Chargers Can Lower Battery Life
While rapid chargers are convenient, they can degrade batteries faster than standard 120- to 240-volt chargers. Additionally, the cost of using fast chargers can be similar to fueling a gasoline car. Though fast charging does not immediately damage the battery, frequent use can reduce its charging capacity and driving range. To minimize battery degradation, only use fast chargers when absolutely necessary.
Avoid Overcharging
EV batteries degrade more quickly when fully drained or charged to full capacity. While most manufacturers build safeguards to prevent a 100% charge, it’s still important not to discharge the battery completely. As a general rule, avoid letting the battery drop below 30% and only charge it as needed to maintain peak performance.
EV Tire Maintenance
The added weight of EV batteries makes tire maintenance more frequent. Typically, an EV weighs about 800 pounds more than a gasoline-powered version of the same model. This added weight can cause EV tires to wear out up to 20% faster. Furthermore, the on-demand torque in EVs may contribute to aggressive driving habits, such as rapid acceleration. To extend tire life, practice smooth driving, check tire pressure regularly, and rotate tires as part of your EV maintenance schedule.
Other EV Maintenance
Apart from battery and tire care, other maintenance tasks for EVs are similar to those for gasoline vehicles, such as checking wiper blades, washing fluid, brake fluid, and cabin air filters. Here’s a breakdown of additional maintenance tasks:
Air Conditioning Systems
EVs use air or liquid coolant systems to maintain battery temperature, with liquid cooling being the most common. The typical coolant is a glycol-based formula, similar to what’s used in gasoline vehicles. Like their gasoline counterparts, EVs require coolant system maintenance, including flushing and checking coolant levels, hoses, and pipes.
Braking System
EVs use regenerative braking, which recovers kinetic energy and reduces reliance on mechanical brakes. As a result, EV brake pads and rotors wear more slowly than those in traditional vehicles. However, brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid levels should still be checked regularly as part of routine maintenance.
Electric Vehicle Maintenance by the Numbers
EVs have more than 20 fewer mechanical components compared to gasoline-powered cars, leading to significantly reduced maintenance and lower ownership costs. Here’s a general EV maintenance schedule to further reduce maintenance needs and expenses:
Every 7,500 miles:
- Inspect, rotate, and align tires if necessary.
- Check brake pads, rotors, fluid levels, and hoses.
- Check coolant levels for the batteries, cabin heater, power inverter, and charger components.
- Inspect chassis, suspension, and steering components.
- Examine drive shafts and half shafts for damage, such as leaks and excessive wear.
- Check gas struts for damage.
Every 15,000 miles:
- Replace windshield wiper blades.
Every 36,000 miles:
- Replace cabin air filter.
Every 75,000 miles:
- Replace suspension gas struts and service air conditioning circuits.
Maintaining an EV is significantly easier and cheaper than maintaining a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle. However, the cost of ownership can vary from one model to another and between manufacturers. If you’re in the market for an EV or hybrid, it’s important to research and compare different models to get a clear picture of the total cost of ownership.
