Electric Car Maintenance: Everything You Need To Know

Are you considering joining the green car revolution? If you’re thinking about going electric, statistics show that you’re certainly not alone. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for January 2021 reveals a 54.4% increase in the registration of battery electric vehicles compared to the same period last year.

With the UK Government planning to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, eco-friendly models are set to become ever-more popular over the coming decade. But of course, buying a new car is not a decision that should be taken lightly. There are plenty of things to take into consideration – especially when making the change from a combustion engine to a hybrid or electric model.

Alongside the purchase price, insurance premiums and taxes, one of the main factors to take into account is the running costs. There are of course many advantages to owning an electric vehicle, but what about the issue of EV maintenance? Which parts are more susceptible to failure? Does electric car maintenance cost more than that of a standard vehicle? Here’s a handy guide to everything you need to know.

ARE ELECTRIC CARS LESS MAINTENANCE THAN PETROL OR DIESEL MODELS?

​Yes, as a general rule EVs require less maintenance than those that run on petrol or diesel. That’s because internal combustion engines have many more moving parts, which means there are more elements that can go wrong. The same goes for used electric cars – even though they’ve been pre-loved, they typically need less upkeep than a second-hand diesel or petrol model.

And with a greater societal focus on managing our carbon footprint and reducing our impact on the environment, new and innovative green car technology is being developed all the time by the world’s leading brands and engineers. This will help to improve the efficiency of our vehicles and hopefully limit the amount of electric car maintenance needed to keep us on the road.

DO ELECTRIC CARS COST LESS TO MAINTAIN?

Yes, electric car maintenance costs will typically be lower than those for diesel or petrol models. In fact, a recent study from Cap HPI found that EVs cost an average of 23% less to service and maintain. It stands to reason that because there are fewer moving parts there is less work required, which in turn means lower bills for you!​

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON EV MAINTENANCE ISSUES?

​Electric cars do not maintain themselves, of course. There are a few key parts that you will need to keep in the best possible shape:

• Tyres: The heavy batteries in electric vehicles mean that the driven wheels experience a great amount of torque and tyres can wear quickly, so regular rotation is a crucial element of good EV maintenance and you should call on the experts to help you with your tyre fitting.
   
• Brakes: Although EVs use regenerative braking, where lost energy is converted back to stored energy, the pads and fluids still need to be checked regularly and replaced if they are no longer fit for purpose.
   
• Coolant: Used to prevent the battery from overheating and potentially catching fire, the coolant plays a pivotal role in the safe operation of any EV. It’s best to check the manual to find out how often it may need flushing or topping up.
   
• Battery: The most critical of all parts when it comes to electric car maintenance, so you need to take great care of it. Be wary of exposing the battery to extreme temperatures, while it’s also important not to allow it to run down completely, or to overcharge it. Check out our expert advice on how to maintain your electric car battery.

WHAT PARTS WON’T YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT?

One of the beauties of electric car maintenance is that there are many components within an internal combustion engine that you will not have to concern yourself with because they do not apply to EVs. These include:

• Drive belt
• Spark plugs
• Engine oil
• Clutch
• Fuel pump
• Exhaust

DO ELECTRIC CARS NEED SERVICING?

Yes, electric cars typically require servicing in the same way and with similar frequency to petrol or diesel models. Be sure to consult the manual for the suggested service schedule, while it can also help you in the event of any warning lights flashing up on the dashboard. All being well, your regular EV maintenance will mean any health checks are carried out without a hitch – and because there are fewer moving parts, the process should not take as long.

It’s worth noting, however, that you may have to travel further afield for your service in the event that your local mechanic is not yet fully trained in dealing with electric models. At Jardine Motors, we offer comprehensive services for EVs to ensure that you can stay safe and on the road.​

JOIN THE EV REVOLUTION WITH JARDINE MOTORS TODAY

Weighing up the pros and cons of buying an EV? At least now you have an idea of what to expect when it comes to electric car maintenance. And there’s further good news in that the government offers incentives such as discounts on sale price for those looking to purchase a greener model – so what are you waiting for?

At Jardine Motors we have a number of high-quality new EVs, from the BMW iSeries and the Audi electric range to specific models such as the Jaguar I-PACE or the Mercedes EQA. If a particular vehicle has caught your eye or you’d like to know more, why not get in touch with our team or seek out your local dealership and join the EV revolution today.

Visit our brand new Jardine Electric section where you can find a great selection of electric cars and expert advice.