Maintaining your electric car: when, how and at what cost?
Having an electric car means taking advantage of a vehicle with considerably simplified mechanics. Unlike a diesel or gasoline car, maintenance is therefore much less restrictive and expensive. How to maintain your electric car? When to do it and at what cost? Qovoltis answers your questions.
Electric car: how much does maintenance cost?
In terms of maintenance, the electric car has a real advantage: its reduced number of parts. Unlike an internal combustion car, you no longer have to worry about elements such as the gearbox, the clutch or the spark plugs. Thanks to its simplified mechanics, the time and expenses allocated to the replacement of parts are considerably reduced. The maintenance of an electric car is therefore 20 to 40% * cheaper than that of an internal combustion car.
Its cost depends primarily on the condition of your car and the operations required. The main elements to check are:
- The engine
Due to its simplified design, this element is not subject to wear and tear. With an electric car, you no longer need to change the oil change or filter. However, it is advisable to have your engine checked regularly: malfunctions in fact lead to fuel consumption problems, or even breakdowns.
- The brake pads
Most electric cars incorporate a regenerative system to recover the energy produced during braking to recharge the battery. The brakes are very low in use and last longer than on an internal combustion car, especially if you adopt a gentle driving mode.
- The fluids
In an electric car, 3 fluids must be renewed regularly: coolant (for the engine and battery), windshield washer fluid and brake fluid. For some electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S, transmission fluid must also be replaced.
- The particular case of the battery
La traction battery is an essential part of the car. The only downside: its cost amounts to several thousand euros. Fortunately, most manufacturers offer a warranty that protects you against the risk of losing autonomy. It extends from 8 to 10 years depending on the model, or over 160,000 km to 240,000 km. Generally, the battery needs to be changed when its storage capacity falls below 70%. It therefore does not require special maintenance, but an occasional diagnosis to check its condition.
Other costs are to be expected and concern recurring checkpoints for all types of vehicles such as:
— windshield wipers;
— tyres;
— power steering;
— suspension;
— the body;
— the air conditioning system.
Who should maintain an electric car?
Tire maintenance, changing wiper blades, replacing fluids... These operations can be carried out by you. However, it is impossible — and strongly discouraged — to carry out the entire interview alone. The electric car indeed incorporates advanced technologies and some checks are carried out under high voltage (400 to 700 flights). The risks of electric shock are not to be taken lightly.
The switch to electric cars is still recent, and not all garages are yet qualified to carry out the checks. To maintain your vehicle, it is therefore essential to go to an authorized professional (B2VL and B2TL qualification) and who has the appropriate equipment. You can also choose safety and tranquility by taking out a maintenance contract offered by most manufacturers and dealerships.
In an approved center, the check is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. All parts are inspected, some of which are specific to the electric car (charging cable, charging socket, battery box, etc.).
When should you do the technical inspection of your electric car?
In European Union countries, electric vehicles are required to carry out a technical inspection every 2 years after their 4th birthday.
On the manufacturer's side, a technical inspection all The 30,000 km is recommended, compared to 15,000 km for a gas-powered car. Our advice: don't ignore it! Regular maintenance will avoid emergency repair costs due to lack of maintenance and ensure the optimal safety of your car.
Did you know that?
The cost of maintaining an electric car is likely to fall in the coming years. With technological progress, manufacturers are offering models that are ever more efficient and autonomous, and inevitably cheaper to maintain. In addition, the price of the battery decreases over the years. In 2010, its price was $1,200/kWh, compared to $132/kWh in 2021. Experts estimate that its average price could fall to $100/kWh by 2024.
Also to read: What is the real price of an electric car?
*sources:
https://selectra.info/energie/guides/conso/voiture-electrique/entretien
https://www.norauto.fr/revision-vehicule-electrique.html
