Electric vehicle maintenance and servicing guide: What’s involved?

Despite the growing popularity of electric cars in the UK, there remain misconceptions about them – not least the maintenance required.

Do electric cars need maintenance and how often should they be serviced?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have simpler mechanics than petrol and diesel engines, which means they generally require less looking after.

However, as with any road vehicle, they still require regular maintenance to ensure their reliable performance, longevity, and safety.

Do electric cars need servicing?

Electric cars have fewer moving parts than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

For example, service tasks related to exhaust systems, fuel injectors, and oil changers are all removed.

However, electric cars are still subject to the same stresses and wear and tear as petrol and diesel vehicles. This means that they’ll require routine checks on brakes, suspension, tyres, batteries, and other essential parts.

EVs feature regenerative braking systems designed to reduce the wear on brake pads, but they will need periodic maintenance to ensure safety and performance.

Cooling systems for both the battery and electric motor play an important role and should also be regularly checked. This prevents them from overheating and ensures they will keep functioning for longer.

How often does an electric car need to be serviced?

Service intervals for electric cars differ between manufacturers, but regular servicing will ensure that your EV performs at an optimum level for longer.

Generally, EVs will require servicing at least once a year. In mileage terms, this usually means, every 10,000 to 20,000 miles.

With that in mind, if your car has a particularly high annual mileage total, then it will need servicing more than once a year. This is usually the case for EVs used for commercial purposes.

Some manufacturers may have longer service intervals due to the reduced wear on key components.

Drivers should always follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule to meet the requirements of the warranty.

What’s involved in an electric vehicle service?

Petrol and diesel vehicles have complex engines with multiple moving parts.

This means that frequent checks are essential to keep the car safe and on the road.

EVs have simpler engines and mainly need inspections of their tyres, brakes, battery, and software updates.

An electric vehicle service will typically include a number of key checks and maintenance tasks:

    • Battery health check

The battery is an EV’s most critical component. The battery’s state of health (SoH) is assessed during servicing to determine its range and performance. Any faults will be flagged for further inspection.

    • Brake system inspection

Regenerative braking systems reduce the wear on brake components, but brake pads and discs will still need to be checked and replaced periodically.

    • Tyre condition and alignment

Because electric cars are heavier due to their batteries, their tyres can be worn faster. Regular tyre checks and wheel alignments are essential for safety and efficiency.

    • Cooling system maintenance

Servicing will include checks of the coolant levels within the liquid-cooled battery systems. These regulate temperature and prevent overheating.

    • Suspension and steering check

Suspension and steering systems ensure smooth handling and comfort. They need to be checked regularly to ensure they’re performing efficiently.

    • Software updates

Software updates from manufacturers add new features, fix bugs that have emerged, and help to improve performance. These are often received by the vehicle over-the-air (OTA), but sometimes a service visit may be required.

    • Charging system

The onboard charger, charging port, and wiring will be checked to ensure that the vehicle’s charging is safe and efficient.

    • General safety checks

Safety checks such as seat belts, lights, wipers, and other general components will be checked to ensure that it is safe and roadworthy.

How much does it cost to service an electric car?

For many people who are considering purchasing an EV, it’s not just the question ‘Do electric cars need servicing?’ that matters, but how much each service might cost.

Because EV engines are simpler, the costs of servicing are usually cheaper than you would pay for petrol and diesel vehicles.

On average, an EV service costs between £100 and £300, depending on the make and model.

Electric vehicle mileage blockers from Autotech

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You can also dial 0330 043 173 or send an email to contact@mileage-blocker.co.uk