Maintenance of Owning an Electric Vehicle
May 1, 2023
Maintenance of Owning an Electric Vehicle
Owning an electric vehicle can be a pleasant surprise, especially when it comes to maintenance costs. In comparison to a gas-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, the savings can be significant.
According to AAA’s “Your Driving Costs Report for 2022“, maintaining a gas car costs around $0.10 per mile, while electric vehicles come in at around $0.07 per mile.
So, if you drive 15,000 miles per year, you will spend approximately $1,500 to maintain a gas car, while maintaining an EV would cost about $1,050. And, that’s not even factoring in the savings you get from not having to buy fuel for your EV!
How Maintenance is Different for EVs
When it comes to gas cars, you must get your oil changed every 3,000 to 7,000 miles, depending on the oil you use. Additionally, you need to keep in mind things like transmission fluid, cooling system flushes, spark plugs, belt drives, and other miscellaneous items.
If you have an ICE or an EV you will still need to check and replace items like tires, cabin filters, and windshield wipers.
EV Motor vs ICE Motor
For EVs, the biggest thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to run your battery to 0% and try not to charge up to 100%.
For an ICE vehicle, you will need to do a handful of things when you are maintaining its motor.
- Change Motor Oil and Filter
- Perform Engine tune-ups by inspecting/replacing Spark Plugs, Air Filters, Fuel Filters, and PCV valves.
- Inspect and replace Drive and Timing Belts
- Inspect and replace fuel injectors, Fuel Pumps, gaskets, O-rings, and seals
EV Battery vs ICE Battery
EV battery maintenance isn’t for the battery itself, but the systems that help keep your battery healthy.
One solid safety and warranty-related note; Do not service your own battery. Your battery comes with an 8-year warranty, by law, and you will void it by working on it yourself. Also, it’s dangerous. Our staff is highly trained and certified to help with your EV battery Service.
EV Battery Service includes
- Inspect battery coolant pumps
- Inspect battery hoses and fittings
Your EV May have a ‘car battery’ in addition to its larger drive battery. This one has similar maintenance to an ICE. This is for things like your keyless entry and running the radio when the car is off.
- Check and clean battery terminals
- Check to ensure your battery is held firmly in place.
ICE Batteries last about four to six years, so to keep them going you will want to do the following things on a regular basis.
- Check battery fluids
- Check and Clean battery terminals
- Ensure your batter is held firmly in place
EV Brakes vs ICE Brakes
The maintenance here is not hugely different. You want to get your brake pads and discs checked every 7,500 miles. Most EVs use regenerative braking systems.
EVs and some Hybrids have the ability to recharge your battery as you let off the gas. Regenerative braking uses the battery to slow the vehicle instead of brakes.
EV Tires vs ICE Tires
ICE vehicles tend to have a little bit of an edge here. EVs tend to be heavier than ICE vehicles and that leads to more tire wear. EVs also have “instant torque” which, if you’re not careful, can also speed up the wear on your tires.
Your main duty here is to check your air pressure at least monthly and keep an eye out for abnormal wear and tear.
Battery Maintenance
The biggest item in your EV that you will want to make sure and take care of is your battery. If you need to replace this, it is going to be a pretty expensive repair so you want to make sure to take the best care of it that you can. Here are a couple of tips.
Try to avoid extreme temperatures. Sure, during a summer day, it might be hard to escape the sun when driving, but if you park try to find some shade. This is extra important if you are sitting in your car waiting for anytime.
Fill your battery to 100% infrequently. Unless you are going on a long drive and need the full range, your battery will stay healthier longer if you keep it below that.
Don’t let your battery drop to 0%. This is pretty easy to avoid, but draining your battery all the way down to zero will put extra stress on the battery.
Don’t always use Fast Charging. While fast charging is convenient, try to only use it when you need to. The fast charge is great for when you need it, but it does put added stress on the battery.
EV Maintenance Schedule
Every 7,500 Miles
Tires
- Inspect tires for damage and wear
- Check Tire Pressure
- Rotate tires
Brakes
- Check Brake Fluid
- Check Brake. Lines, Hoses, and connections
- Inspect Brake Discs and Pads
- Check the Brake Pedal for wear and damage
Climate
- Check Air Conditioner refrigerant/compression
- Inspect/replace Climate Control Air Filters
Mechanical
- Inspect Steering rack, linage, and boots
- Inspect the Drive Shaft and boots
- Inspect Suspension ball Joints
- Suspension ball joints
Battery
- Check Battery Condition
Every 6 Months or as needed
- Flush the undercarriage with plain water to get rid of road salt
Every 15,000 Miles
- Inspect and replace Windshield wiper blades
Every 75,000 Miles
- Replace the cabin air filter (more often if needed)
Every 150,000 Miles
- Drain and fill coolant circuits and replace brake fluid
Every Seven Years
- Change Air Condition Desiccant
To sum it up, electric cars are great for saving on maintenance costs compared to traditional gas-powered cars. To keep your EV running smoothly and efficiently, make sure to stick to the maintenance schedule and regularly check on the battery, tires, brakes, and other components. That way, you can keep your vehicle safe and reliable for a long time.
As Portland and Vancouver’s best EV seller, we have an amazing staff who are ready to answer your questions, whether you own an EV or are still looking for your next new Electric Vehicle.
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