Electric cars are an increasingly popular type of vehicle on the road. From commercial fleets to personal family cars, more and more people are choosing hybrid and wholly electric cars instead of traditional gas-driven models. These vehicles are said to have a better driving performance and are better on the environment with every drive to work or the grocery store. While EV and hybrid vehicles are great to own and great for the planet, it’s also important to remember that they need repair and maintenance like any other vehicle.
Before diving into the common repair issues for electric cars, understand the basic components of an electric car. These include a battery pack, electric motor, cooling system, and a power charging port and converter. The power charging port is often something those who purchase an electric car need to consider having installed in their home, but even as a separate initial cost, it only affects your home’s energy bill each month.
Consider the differences between gas-operated and electric vehicles. An electric vehicle has no tailpipes or exhaust systems, and most have a simple transmission with a single gear. So, in comparison, they require less repairs than a gas-operated vehicle. Most standard electric cars have fewer than 20 replaceable parts, so when compared to the more than 200 replaceable parts in a gas-operated vehicle, it is easy to see why they’d require less maintenance and repair.
When considering maintenance for an electric car, the important thing to remember is that they still require a lot of “regular car maintenance.” Routine electric car maintenance includes alignment, tire rotation, and brakes; all of these necessary for your past gas-operated vehicle. Other “routine maintenance tasks” include windshield wiper replacement and air filters. However, common electrical car repair also includes battery repair and replacement. The average electric car has a 12-volt battery that powers its auxiliary system, such as door locks or the navigation system.
Many of the common issues for electric cars are shared with hybrid and gas-operated vehicles. But it is important to understand that replacing an electric car battery is a key difference, and a critical part of keeping your EV going. Electric car battery packs are typically large, and cost $3,000 to $4,000 to replace every 8 to 10 years on average. However, if you drive a lot or live in extreme temperatures, you’ll need to be careful to have it checked often because that could affect its lifespan.
Before you purchase an electric car, discuss common repairs and maintenance with the dealership. Although much of these common issues you’ll be familiar with, you may not understand how to take care of an EV battery and this is an important part of keeping the vehicle operational.
