One of the advantages of owning an electric vehicle lies in its easy maintenance. With a small number of parts to keep an eye on, the maintenance of this type of car is neither demanding nor particularly difficult for the pocket. These advantages are due to the very nature of electrical energy, but also thanks to certain innovations.
What are the particularities of the maintenance of electric vehicles?
An electric motor requires much simpler maintenance than an internal combustion engine. Without friction between any moving parts or exchanges between liquids and gases, you do not need lubricant or exhaust. This means that there are no oil changes, filter or exhaust system. All this can be discounted from the cost of car maintenance. Therefore, maintenance involves much fewer mechanical elements than in a combustion-powered car. In fact, tires, windshield washer fluid, brake pads and air conditioning filters are the only consumables that require regular changes in an electric car.
A small number of pieces
The electric car motor design considerably reduces the number of parts required for its operation. Among these, none is what is known as "wear parts", which can affect the operation of the engine. Therefore, in an electric vehicle, there is no timing belt, head gasket and cooling hose - which can cause engine damage when used. As for traction, these vehicles are reliable over hundreds of thousands of kilometers. For drivers looking for peace of mind and ease of maintenance, the electric vehicle is an obvious choice. Especially since simplified maintenance does not mean that it is less complete: all parts of the vehicle are checked by experts from the manufacturer's network.
Less wear on the brakes
Electric cars use two braking systems: first, regenerative braking, which uses the engine as a generator to charge the battery from time to time, then standard braking - with discs or drums and brake pads - which is activated later. This, therefore, relieves the load on the mechanical braking system and tires, which means that the parts involved need to be replaced less frequently.
A simplified transmission
Without a manual gearbox or clutch, the transmission of an electric vehicle is much simpler: unlike a combustion engine, an electric motor offers direct drive. When the driver presses the accelerator, the battery generates a magnetic field inside a fixed part, which then causes a moving part to rotate.
Standard inspection points
Maintenance work on the chassis, body, tires, steering and suspension of an electric vehicle is carried out in a normal way, as well as checks on the air conditioning system, comfort and windshield wipers. These inspection points are essential for vehicle safety and driving comfort.
Less maintenance to perform yourself
In an electric car, the fluid levels of the brakes and coolant need to be checked and possibly changed or replenished. Tire pressure should also be monitored regularly, as for a combustion car: before going on vacation, before a vehicle safety inspection, etc. Another task that can be performed without the need for a mechanic is the replacement of the 12-volt battery that powers lighting and electronics every three years.
Does the battery of an electric vehicle require maintenance?
The battery of an electric vehicle is one of its most important components. The engine is powered by what is called a traction battery. It sets the range of the electric vehicle, sometimes in the hundreds of kilometers, depending on the model. With regard to the durability of a lithium-ion battery in an electric vehicle, its automotive service life is estimated at 10 years. But that doesn't mean that the battery can no longer work. On the contrary, it still has a good dozen years to be used in its "second life" in other fields, from stationary storage of electricity to vehicle electrification, local distribution of green energy and much more. The way the vehicle is used also affects battery life, so it is essential that check-ups are carried out by a dealership. To ensure optimal longevity, they will check the life of this crucial part.
How much does it cost to maintain an electric car?
Considerable savings
Several convergent studies show that the maintenance cost of an electric city car is 20-35% lower than that of an equivalent combustion car, for which repairs, maintenance and oil changes can increase the bill. These notable differences in maintenance costs can be explained, when it comes to an electric vehicle, by the absence of wear parts that require regular changes, as well as by the lack of need for major engine repairs. These advantages apply to everyone and are even more obvious to those who drive a lot. Companies, for example, have good reasons to choose electric vehicles for their company cars or commercial vehicles. Fleet maintenance - depending on the type of vehicle, mode of acquisition and type of use - represents between 7-12% of the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
Less inspections
It is recommended that your electric vehicle be checked every 30,000 kilometers by a certified professional, compared to every 15,000 kilometers for a gasoline car and 20,000 kilometers for a diesel car. Other expected maintenance costs involve changing tires and brake discs according to their condition and distance traveled. Steering, suspension and shock absorbers are also integrated into the maintenance budget, which depends, once again, on the frequency of use of the car. Not to mention the economy made "at the pump" or rather, "in the outlet"! All this explains the financial advantages of operating an electric vehicle and allows drivers to accurately calculate the savings that can be made with this type of vehicle.