What Do Electric Repairs on a Vehicle Look Like

Aside from emitting no pollutants and requiring no gas, electric vehicles have an additional advantage: they require little maintenance. The lack of an internal combustion engine leads to fewer moving parts and fewer fluids for lubrication. Oil and air filter changes have become nuisances of the past.

According to the Auto Club, maintaining “…electric vehicles cost $330 less than a gas-powered car, a total of $949/annually,” as of January 2022. These savings don’t even include eliminating fuel. A compact EV uses about $546 in electricity annually, while a conventional gas-powered car uses up $1,255 more in gas.

Where to Get EV Repairs

Not every service department and automotive technician can handle repairing an EV. Its systems need specialized equipment and training. Dealing with the high-voltage battery pack can produce a fire if not done correctly.

The best place to repair your EV is at the dealer where you bought it. The automotive technicians there will have the expertise to handle your EV issues with the correct equipment and procedures. Barring that, you can also ask the manufacturer of the EV for service centers or body shops that have been certified by the brand.

Minor Repairs

The only maintenance your EV needs is the replacement of worn-out parts, such as wiper blades. You’ll still need to add air to the tires and top up fluids like the coolant or wiper cleaner every so often.

Regenerative braking, which recovers energy from slowing down or stopping to recharge the battery, increases the life of your brake pads. But they will need servicing once in a while, which may consist of simply checking the brake fluid every couple of years. If your stopping distances are increasing or your brake pedal feels spongy, you should check with your service center to discover what is happening.

Don’t Forget Tires

The lack of maintenance does not apply to tires, which suffer wear whether the vehicle is powered by electricity or gas. Because EVs are generally heavier than conventional cars, their tires wear out more quickly and must have a higher weight rating.

Tires on electric vehicles need to be rotated regularly, or they will wear out unevenly. They also require wheel alignment, which should be checked every six months or sooner if you accidentally hit a pothole or large bump. You can also check the tread on tires with a penny: insert a penny into a tread with Lincoln’s head facing into the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tire is too worn to be safe and must be replaced immediately.

Battery Issues

EVs have two types of batteries, starting with the standard 12-volt battery, which manages ignition and powers electrical components, such as lights, when the engine is turned off. If you have trouble starting your vehicle, this battery may need replacing.

The other one is the lithium-ion battery pack, which powers the motor. It typically lasts about 10 years and may be under warranty for that entire period. But after that time, they may hold less and less of a charge and require replacement, costing a tidy sum.

Buying Another

The cost and ease of maintaining and repairing an EV make owning one a pleasure. According to a AAA survey of EV owners, 71 percent were first-time EV buyers, and about 96 percent said they would buy an electric car again .