True or false? An Electric Vehicle is maintenance-free.
True… And false!
Electric vehicles (EV) are an omnipresent reality in Canada. With government rebates, rising gas prices and technological advances, more and more motorists are becoming electromotorists.
EV sellers often mention that these vehicles are maintenance free. True or false? Rather, this assertion needs to be qualified.
It is true that a 100% electric model requires less maintenance than a gas-powered car, but it is still a vehicle equipped with the same steering, suspension or braking components as the others.
When you go to your trusted workshop, pay attention to their advice in order to properly maintain your vehicle.
1. SOH (State Of Health)
For an EV, the health of the main battery is the sinews of war. These batteries degrade faster for some models than others and the duration of their warranty varies.
Most manufacturers guarantee the battery pack longer than the rest of the vehicle or even the powertrain of a gas-powered car. Hedging usually applies when the SOH decreases below a specified value.
For example, the owner of a 2016 Kia Soul EV could benefit from a battery replacement under warranty if the SOH drops below 70% for a period of 8 years. In principle, a garage equipped with a suitable analyzer-controller (scanner) will be able to inform its customers about the SOH of the battery.
But beware, some manufacturers do not allow independent workshops to extract this data. It's a way to make their customers captive, be advised!
2. 12-volt battery
Like gasoline models, all EVs have one to power their accessories. Either way, you can have it checked with a carbon battery.
The battery recharges while driving, if you plan to leave the vehicle unused for a long period or do few km per year, ask your adviser to install a permanent smart charger.
You will therefore have a socket at the front of the vehicle like a block heater. It will then suffice to plug your EV into the regular outlet to slowly recharge your 12v battery or maintain it on the long term.
3. Brakes
Some motorists tend to neglect this maintenance item. With regenerative braking and one-pedal driving, EVs put very little strain on their mechanical braking system.
Rust is therefore likely to set in even faster than for a vehicle with a combustion engine. Maintaining the brakes therefore becomes essential in order to maintain the proper functioning of the calipers and to prolong the life of the components.
We recommend maintenance once a year in the spring. It must include dismantling the calipers, cleaning the discs to remove rust and lubricating the sliding bolts (or “pins”) so that the pads wear out evenly.
4. Alignment (wheel parallelism)
EVs require this adjustment in the same way as petrol cars. It is important to know that electric vehicles are often heavier than most gasoline-powered vehicles.
Take, for example, the 2022 Kia Soul EV Limited which weighs a minimum of 1,685 kg, which is 292 kg more than the best-equipped gasoline-powered Kia Soul.
So, adjusting the parallelism of EVs becomes an essential maintenance item in order to avoid premature tire wear. In addition, with the "beautiful" roads we have, a pothole quickly arrive. Get your alignment checked!!
5. Fluids
Is the brake fluid contaminated? If you need to top it up, know that it is similar to that of a traditional vehicle. Additionally, many EVs have liquid battery cooling systems.
Is this one in good condition?
Refer to your owner's manual to see the frequency of maintenance.
Usage checks wipers, headlights, exterior lighting, these are basic safety elements that should not be overlooked. Do a visual inspection the day before going to the garage and mention any anomaly to your adviser.
An electric vehicle therefore requires maintenance, it is undeniable. Various programs exist to train independent workshop technicians in the reality of EVs. Ask your shop if they are participating in such program.
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