More and more people are trading in their gas-guzzling four-wheels for electric cars — and for good reason. Not only are they environmentally-friendly, but they’re also much more cost-efficient to use and maintain in the long run. Even if their retail price is much higher than that of traditional internal combustion engine cars, electric cars do contain fewer components, which means there are fewer parts that need regular repairs and maintenance checks.
To put this into perspective, these are the parts you won’t need to worry about when you own an electric vehicle:
- Spark plugs
- Fuel
- Motor Oil
- Muffler
- Radiator fluid
- Automatic transmission fluid
You don’t have to drop thousands of dollars just to keep your vehicle in top form. However, there are still certain parts of an electric car that need a tune-up or electrical repair and maintenance service. You’ll need to prepare yourself for these things so that you don’t end up stranded in the middle of the road. Here are the most common maintenance issues you can expect to come across with this kind of car.
Tires
Unless your electric vehicle floats, you’re going to have to deal with tire issues like just every other car. Worn out tire tread is a particularly common issue for electric vehicles since they carry around a huge battery. They also deliver instant torque which can be especially rough on tires. This is why you should maintain good tire pressure and get your wheels aligned at least every 6 to 12 months.
Brakes
Electric cars make use of a regenerative braking system when stopping. This means that the car doesn’t rely on its mechanic brakes, but rather slows the vehicle down using its motor as a generator to transform kinetic energy to stored energy in the battery. As a result, electric vehicle brakes actually last longer than internal combustion engine cars. But since it still uses the same gyroscopic hydraulic fluid found in traditional cars, your brake system may corrode unless you get the brake fluid flushed out regularly.
Fluid Levels
Coolant, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid are the only fluid levels you’ll have to keep an eye out for with an electric car. Make sure to replace the coolant often, replenish brake fluid, and add windshield wiper fluid when necessary to keep your car in good shape.
Battery
Your electric car’s battery is essentially the heart of your vehicle. It works just like the internal combustion engine that you’ll find in a conventional car. As the most valuable part of your electric vehicle, it needs regular maintenance and care to make the most of its long shelf life. When your car battery eventually breaks down, don’t bother repairing it unless you’ve got the cash to burn and a sentimental attachment to your car.
Why? The cost of repairing electric vehicle batteries will likely set you back tens of thousands of dollars, and that’s without the cost of labor factored in. So, you’re better off just investing in a new electric vehicle instead.
Electric cars are incredibly durable and dependable vehicles that will last a long time, but only with regular maintenance and repairs. These are the most common maintenance issues to look out for with an electric car to keep it in good condition.
