EV maintenance: Your how-to guide
Electric vehicles (EVs) feature some of the latest automotive tech on the market – but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a helping hand from their drivers sometimes. To get the most out of your EV, you need to give it proper care and attention. What exactly does this involve?
This blog was originally published by ALD Automotive | LeasePlan, now Ayvens.
Let’s start with the good news. EVs have fewer moving parts than vehicles with an internal combustion engine (ICE), which makes them much easier to maintain. With regular servicing, EVs can cover more than 160,000km in their lifetime.
But don’t be complacent! If an EV is poorly maintained, major components like the battery have to be replaced. And this isn’t cheap. In fact, replacing the battery can wipe out any total cost of ownership (TCO) savings that you might otherwise enjoy – so it’s absolutely vital to know your way around EV maintenance. Here are the top five tips in our toolbox!
Check your tyres more regularly
EVs are considerably heavier than their ICE counterparts, so tyres wear down quicker if not maintained properly. EVs also produce instant torque as they accelerate, which contributes to increased wear. As a result, EV drivers are encouraged to check tyre wear and pressure every month. Tyres should be rotated every 8,000km and replaced after 30,000km. You can also buy tyres designed specifically for EVs: these will help your tyres last longer and give you better mileage from each charge.
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Don’t overcharge the battery
If you want to avoid replacing your battery, you have to treat it right. That means following several best practices:
- Don’t leave it plugged in for too long
- Don’t overuse the quick charging feature
- Don’t let the charge run down too low, too often
To keep track of EV charging at home, we recommend setting a timer.
Adapt to different weather conditions
Like any motor vehicle, an EV operates best at certain temperatures. EVs have thermal management systems to keep temperatures stable, but drivers can do their bit to support them. Be aware that leaving your car in extreme heat or cold can reduce your battery’s lifespan. So, if your car is outside during cold weather, try to leave it in direct sunlight. You should also give the vehicle extra charge in the winter months, as you’ll need additional power for the car’s heating system. If it’s rainy, you should add extra charge to compensate for lower traction on wet roads.
Meanwhile, in the summer, avoid exposing your car to high temperatures by keeping it in the shade, or preferably in a garage.
Look after your brake fluids
Most EVs have regenerative braking – a feature that transfers energy back into the battery when braking. This allows EV brakes to last longer than in traditional cars, but they don’t last forever. We recommend changing your brake fluid, after three years. Doing so reduces the chances of brake system failure, which can cost thousands of euros to fix.
Clean the undercarriage twice a year
All kinds of particles from the road can accumulate under your EV, so make sure you clean the undercarriage at least twice a year. This will prevent road salt and other dirt from affecting your EV’s performance and range.