Understanding the Average maintenance expenses for electric vehicles
Are you a person who worries about the major maintenance requirements that add to the cost of owning a car?Then switching to an electric car might be the right decision for you.EV sector is still new and continuously evolving, understanding basic maintenance requirements will be a deciding factor while purchasing your future dream car.This guide will help you to understand maintenance expenses for electric vehicles.
EVs much cheaper to maintain compared to petrol/Diesel cars
EVs have fewer moving parts compared to gasoline cars. This translates to less wear and tear, resulting in significantly lower costs for scheduled maintenance.
Powertrain maintenance -a conventional fuel engine requires regular maintenance including fluid changes, tune-ups, repairs and replacements of parts like timing belts, drive belts, etc.
Below are the EV components that usually need basic maintenance.
Battery pack-The battery packs in electric cars are considered highly robust.One should follow charging and maintenance recommendations given by the manufacturer.
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.
Brakes-Electric cars comes with regenerative braking systems.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.One should change brake fluid from time to time and replace worn out brakes discs and pads.
Tyres- Electric cars comes with specific tyres that assist with acceleration and make lesser noise.Regular maintenance of EV tyres can ensure low rolling resistance which puts less strain on the battery pack.Below precautions will help to keep 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.
Coolant-Coolants are used in most electric vehicles to cool down battery packs.Precautions like calling technician to check and fix any leakage in the cooling system. Also Follow the EV manufacturer’s recommendations to flush out and top up the coolant periodically.
How EVs are more cost effective compared to combustion engine vehicles
Conventional fuel engines require regular maintenance like fluid change ,tune up ,repairs. But in the case of electric vehicles, they rely on electricity ,and the motor does not require any maintenance unless and until any specific issue comes up.
EVs electric motor achieve Instant torque so they do not need a multi speed gearbox compared to combustion engine vehicles.This simple transmission functioning makes them easy to maintain. In fact, some of the new-age EVs don’t even mention gearbox servicing in their maintenance manuals.
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.This gives maintenance advantage of the braking system.
Summing Up
Owning an EV can significantly reduce your annual maintenance spending compared to Combustion engine cars. This makes them a compelling option for car owners looking to save money in the long run.
