Electric car maintenance: Cost, schedule and requirements

Do you worry about the extent of major maintenance requirements that add to the cost of owning a car? Then, switching to an electric vehicle might be the right choice for you.

Having an electric motor instead of a petrol or diesel engine makes Electric Vehicles (EVs) so much easier to maintain. However, people who have only owned a diesel or petrol car may not know much about EV maintenance. 

Hence, here is a guide to help you understand all about electric car maintenance. You will also find out about the ease and cost-effectiveness of maintaining an EV. So, let’s dive right in!

What maintenance does an electric car need?

The maintenance of electric cars majorly revolves around their battery pack and electric motor. However, you can also consider regular checkups of other components like brakes, suspension, steering, etc. 

Below are the EV components that usually need basic maintenance. 

1. Battery pack

The battery packs in electric cars are considered highly robust. However, you should follow the charging and maintenance recommendations given by the manufacturer. Moreover, you can follow these tips for EV battery maintenance.

• Don’t let the battery run out of charge completely.

• Avoid exposure to extremely low or high temperatures for long periods.

• Avoid storing the full charge without driving the car for long periods.

2. Tyres

Your electric car may come with specific tyres that assist with acceleration and make lesser noise. By maintaining your EV tyres, you ensure low rolling resistance, which puts less strain on the battery pack.

You must take these steps to keep your EV tyres in good condition.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for timely tyre rotation.

• Maintain optimal pressure on the front and rear tyres.

• Look for uneven tread wear and replace worn-out tyres. 

3. Brakes

An electric vehicle usually comes with a regenerative braking system. A regenerative braking system utilises the energy generated from slowing down the car and transfers it to the battery pack. It helps to extend the car’s range and increases the longevity of the braking system.

While EV’s regenerative brakes last longer than the brakes of a conventional-fuel vehicle, you will need to replace a few parts occasionally.

• Change brake fluid from time to time.

• Replace worn-out brake discs and pads.

4. Coolant

Coolants are used in most electric vehicles to cool down battery packs. Typically, you must get a professional to check the condition of the cooling system. Also, you can refer to the user manual regarding the maintenance of your EV’s brakes. 

• Get a technician to check and fix any leakage in the cooling system.

• Follow the EV manufacturer’s recommendations to flush out and top up the coolant periodically.

Do EVs need an oil change?

Unlike conventional petrol/diesel vehicles, an EV doesn’t contain an engine, hence it has no need for engine oil replacement. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about changing the spark plugs. 

However, EVs do contain oil in the reduction gearbox that may need replacement over a long period of time.

Do electric cars cost less to maintain than petrol/diesel cars?

From the long-term savings point of view, electric cars perform better than conventional fuel vehicles. 

While a conventional combustion engine may conceal about 2,000 moving parts, an EV’s powertrain can run on fewer than 20 parts. The absence of so many moving components reduces the wear over time, making electric car maintenance much cheaper.

The only major cost of maintaining an EV involves its battery pack. The batteries lose their ability to hold the charge gradually over their lifespan. Typically, a lithium-ion battery may offer a consistent driving range of more than 1,00,000 km. After that, you may need to get the battery pack replaced.

Petrol/diesel car vs electric car maintenance

Here are the factors that make electric cars more cost-effective to maintain than petrol/diesel cars.

1. Minimal powertrain maintenance

Electric cars run on electric motors, usually installed on the vehicle axle to directly operate the wheels. As it runs on electricity, the motor practically doesn’t require any maintenance unless any specific issue comes up. This is not the case with a petrol or diesel engine. 

Usually, a conventional fuel engine requires regular maintenance including fluid changes, tune-ups, repairs and replacements of parts like timing belts, drive belts, etc. 

2. Lesser transmission maintenance

Unlike petrol/diesel engines, EVs employ much simpler gearboxes. The instant torque from the electric motor removes the need for a traditional multi-speed gearbox. This is why most EVs come with a single-speed gearbox. 

The simplicity of an EV transmission makes it much easier to maintain. You don’t need to worry about performing regular services usually required for traditional gearboxes. In fact, some of the new-age EVs don’t even mention gearbox servicing in their maintenance manuals.

3. Fewer brake repairs

Another maintenance advantage of EVs over petrol/diesel cars is the reduction of braking system services. Majorly, electric cars use regenerative brakes that reverse the energy generated from decelerating the wheels to the battery pack. 

When you decelerate an EV, the electric motor rotates in the opposite direction for a moment. This reverse rotation turns the electric motor into an electric generator. As a result, the battery obtains energy in the form of charge. Not only does it increase the lifespan of the brakes, but improves battery efficiency as well.

In a nutshell, you have electric motors, single-speed transmissions, and regenerative brakes to reduce the maintenance cost of electric cars. 

Also, read: Electric car vs petrol car: Is an EV car better than a petrol car?

EV maintenance schedule

EV manufacturers recommend a series of checkups and services. Periodic servicing helps to keep up the performance, increases the lifespan of batteries and saves maintenance costs.

Here is an electric car maintenance schedule to help you remember when and what to service, repair or replace.

Monthly checkups

• Check the pressure on each tyre.

• Analyse each tyre for any excess tread wear.

• Examine the washer fluid in the windshield and fill it if required.

After every 8,000 km to 11,000 km

• Get lubricants changed for the moving parts to prevent sludge and carbon buildup.

• Get the tyres rotated based on the body type of your EV for even tread wear.

• Inspect the coolant level and fill more if required.

• Check the cabin AC, power inverter, and other electronic components.

• See if the steering, brakes, chassis components, and suspension have any unusual damage or wear.

• Check for any wear in the driveshaft and power steering.

• Analyse all lights and replace them if required. 

After 25,000 km

• Inspect the transmission fluids.

• Replace cabin air filters to avoid dust contamination.

• Replace the wiper blades for better windshield cleaning.

After 48,000 km

• Flush out the coolant and replace it with fresh fluid.

• Replace the fluid in the power steering for easy handling.

• Remove and top-up brake fluids.

Note: The maintenance schedule mentioned above may differ from one manufacturer to another. You should consider reading the maintenance manual of your electric vehicle.

Low maintenance electric cars in India

Here are a few cost-effective electric cars you can buy for minimal maintenance costs. 

1. Tata Tigor EV

Price: Rs. 12.24 lakhs to Rs. 13.39 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the major technical details of the Tata Tigor EV.

Highlights of the Tata Tigor EV

• The Tigor EV is a practical sedan for city use.

• It is comfortable to drive and effectively handles rough road conditions.

• The cabin is spacious enough for five people.

• You get a solid range of 306 km per full charge.

2. Tata Nexon EV

Price: Rs. 14.54 lakhs to Rs. 17.15 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the major technical details of the Tata Nexon EV.

Highlights of the Tata Nexon EV

• The Tata Nexon EV is a low-maintenance SUV.

• It is known for smooth and silent driving.

• The SUV comes loaded with comfort and safety features.

• You can drive it for 312 km per full charge.

3. MG ZS EV

Price: Rs. 21.99 lakhs to Rs. 25.88 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the major technical details of the MG ZS EV.

Highlights of the MG ZS EV

• The MG ZS EV is a sophisticated-looking yet low-maintenance SUV.

• The interior is furnished with top-notch materials.

• You get features like a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment, etc.

• It is one of the longest-range EVs in the Indian market.

4. Hyundai Kona Electric

Price: Rs. 23.79 lakhs to Rs. 23.97 lakhs

Key specifications

Here are the major technical details of the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Highlights of the Hyundai Kona Electric

• The Hyundai Kona Electric is a mid-size electric SUV.

• The manufacturer claims that it costs only 1/5th of running and maintaining a petrol car.

• The car is admired for its smooth driving experience, quick acceleration, and quiet cabin.

• The claimed drive range of the Kona Electric is 452 km per full charge.

Note:

• The prices of the EVs mentioned above are ex-showroom, Delhi.

• The drive ranges mentioned above are as per the claims of their respective manufacturers.

Tips on electric car maintenance

The following electric car maintenance tips will help you ensure long-term performance and efficiency.

• Avoid high-speed driving to keep your EV’s battery and brakes in good condition for a long time.

• Cover your car when parking, especially if the weather is too hot or cold.

• Avoid overcharging as well as frequent charging to maintain longer battery life. Charging up to 80% is considered the best practice.

• Always use a certified, compatible charger for your EV.

• Keep an eye on the coolant level to ensure that the vehicle battery isn’t getting too hot while driving.

• Rotate your tyres to avoid uneven or excessive wear and tear.

• It would be good to change windshield wiper blades two times a year.

Frequently asked questions

Here are common questions answered about electric vehicle maintenance.

How often should I service my electric car?

You should conduct monthly Do-it-Yourself (DIY) checkups to ensure that your car is in good condition. Apart from that, you can get professional services done after driving your car for 8,000 km, 11,000 km, 25,000 km, and 48,000 km, etc., subject to the respective manufacturer’s service schedule. 

What is the battery life of an electric vehicle?

In India, most EVs come with 6 to 8 years of warranty for the battery pack. However, the life of electric car batteries is expected to be 10 to 20 years. 

Do EV batteries require coolant?

Yes, EVs also require a coolant flowing around the battery pack to manage its temperature. Hence, you should fill and replace old coolant fluid whenever required for efficient battery performance in the long run.

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