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Many people are making the switch to EVs due to their lower running costs – from charging, to servicing and maintenance. But what exactly does an EV car service include? Our guide tells you everything you need to know, so you can keep your EV running in tip top condition.
What Does EV Servicing include?
What happens during your EV car service will depend on the type of service you opt for, but generally speaking, the mechanic carrying out the service will do the following:
- Inspect the suspension and steering
- Test the lights and wipers
- Check the tyre wear and pressure
- Change the windscreen wiper and brake fluid
- Test the brakes
Your mechanic will also do a battery performance test, as well as inspecting the electrical wiring and connecting cables.
The electric motor of an EV does not require much attention, as they are only made up of around 20 components, as opposed to thousands in petrol or diesel engines.
How Much Does EV Car Maintenance cost?
According to WhoCanFixMyCar, the average price for a full EV car service is £174, around 12% cheaper than it is for a conventional car’s full service.
Why is an EV Car Service Cheaper?
There are several reasons why an EV car service is cheaper than a petrol or diesel car service. Firstly, EVs and ICE cars work in a completely different way. An EV contains fewer moving parts than a car with a traditional combustion engine, meaning there is less potential for things to break or become worn out and need replacing. For example, EVs do not require engine oil changes or maintenance to air filters or spark plugs, so during your EV car service, less labour and fewer new parts and fluids will be needed, helping lower costs.
Another factor that can affect your EV car maintenance cost is the use of regenerative braking. This is a driving method that uses the electric motor to slow the vehicle down when stopping slowly, feeding some of the electricity back into the car’s battery. Not only does this help increase your range, but it will also result in less costly wear and tear on your brakes over time.
According to BookMyGarage.com these factors can reduce your EV servicing and maintenance costs by up to 43%, depending on your model of car.
When Do I Need an EV Car Service?
It is good practice to get your EV serviced as often as you would with any other car. This is usually once a year or every 12,000 miles. However, you should check your manufacturers guidance for your particular model of car.
Some signs you may need your EV servicing sooner include:
- Reduced range
- Unusual sounds
- Warning lights on your dashboard
- Slow charging
- Difficulty starting
Remember: Your EV will need an MOT once it reaches three years old – This is a legal requirement.
How to Look After Your EV In Between Services
Whilst getting your EV serviced regularly is a great way to look after your car, there are several other things you can do in between services to keep your EV in tip top condition.
- Only use rapid chargers when necessary: Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are great for on-the-go charging to top up your range and get you back on the road quickly. Although it may be tempting to rely on them to charge your car at lightning-fast speeds, it’s not a good idea to use them as your main source of charging. This is because long term use of rapid charging can put strain on your car’s battery, leading to degradation and reduced range over time.
Instead, opting for a 7-22kW home charger for your main source of charging is a much better way to preserve your battery health. At Yü Charge, we make charging your EV easier than ever, with our home installation service.
- Protect your EV from the elements: EVs are built to withstand extreme temperatures, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t avoid them if you can. Cold temperatures in particular can affect your vehicle’s range, so if you are able to, keeping your car parked in a garage is a good way to protect it. If you do not have a garage, a tarp covering is another great way to stop your car from freezing over, so you’re not only protecting your EV battery, but you will also be able to set off in the morning without spending so much time defrosting your car.
- Check your tyres regularly: This is something that will be checked during your EV car service, but it is still a good idea to keep an eye on the condition of your tyres in between services too. Your tread should be between 8mm and 3mm. If your tread is worn lower than this, it is recommended that you replace your tyres to ensure you can safely maintain grip on the road, particularly in wet conditions.
- Keep your range between 20-80%: Another good way to look after the health of your battery is to avoid charging your battery to full capacity unless you are going on a long journey. This is because always charging your battery to 100 percent can put strain on your battery life over time, resulting in decreased capacity. In most cases, 80%will be plenty of range to get you from A to B, or at least from A to a charger, but if you are setting off on a long journey and are concerned about running out of range, there is no harm in charging to 100% every now and then.
- Drive efficiently: It comes as little surprise that driving your car at top speed and braking suddenly can use up more range than if you were to drive at steady speeds and slowing gently to a stop when needed. So, if you want to preserve your range and avoid having to charge as often, driving with your range in mind is a good idea.
Conclusion
Servicing and maintaining your EV shouldn’t be a daunting task and with the right care, your EV should be able to save you money in the long run (as well as helping save the planet!).
If you’re ready to make charging your EV even easier, get your free, no obligation installation quote from Yü Charge today.
For more information and tips on how to get the most out of your EV, check out our EV news page.