Electric vehicles are becoming more popular than ever. With over 40 plug-in models now available, and many more on their way in the next five years, it’s no surprise that over one million Americans have now made the switch to driving electric cars. Whether you want to do your part to protect the planet or you’re intrigued by the operational cost savings associated with owning an EV, there are a lot of perks to owning these electric-powered autos.
However, any kind of vehicle ownership does come with its share of responsibilities. While EVs require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles, you’ll still need to know how to correctly take care of your plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) to keep it in prime working condition.
Maintenance That Electric Vehicles Don’t Need
Overall, because they run on a battery instead of an internal combustion engine, electric vehicles require far less maintenance than traditional gas cars do. Not only can you skip the weekly visit to the gas pump, but you won’t have to waste nearly as much time scheduling your car for service or dealing with sudden issues. In addition, you won’t have to devote as much money to ongoing maintenance, freeing up money in your annual transportation budget. In all, opting for an EV can eliminate roughly two dozen mechanical components that you’d find in a regular car and will allow you to avoid oil changes, costly transmission issues, spark plug installation, and much more. In fact, some sources say that EV owners might spend only one-third of what conventional car owners pay for regular services!
Maintenance That Electric Vehicles Still Need
Of course, not all maintenance is eliminated when you buy an electric car. Because an EV is still a car, you will still need to prioritize regular maintenance to extend the lifespan of your vehicle. You will still need to rotate your tires and replace worn-out windshield wipers. Based on your car and your automaker’s recommendations, you may need to replace air filters or brake fluid. In addition, motors and brakes eventually wear, though these components will last longer and have fewer problems than the components used in many gas-powered cars.
Maintenance for Your Battery
With electric vehicles, you’ll also need to keep battery maintenance in mind. According to the Department of Energy, the majority of EV manufacturers offer battery warranties for eight years or 100,000 miles. That’s just longer than the average amount of time that most Americans keep their cars. But you’ll still want to take steps to ensure your battery can meet your car’s needs. Even if you have access to DC fast charging stations, use Level 2 EV charging stations at your home or workplace for your daily charging. Rather than charge the battery to 100% every time you fill up, instead cap your charge to 80% so your vehicle can benefit from regenerative braking. You should also refrain from leaving your vehicle unattended for longer periods with a low charge, especially in extreme temperatures, as this can wear down the battery over time. You can drive your EV in cold weather, but you’ll want to monitor the battery and charge before it gets too low. Like a gas car, making a habit of running on empty can cause wear and tear on your vehicle.
While vehicle maintenance is one of the less exciting aspects to owning a car, with an EV, it’s cheaper in time and money. SemaConnect level 2 charging stations are designed for your daily charging at your workplace, apartment, or favorite destination. Find public EV charging stations near you with the SemaConnect mobile app!
Thinking of adding charging stations for EV drivers at your property? Click here to request a quote from your SemaConnect sales manager.