Electric vehicles are here and a lot more are coming. What does this mean for electric car maintenance? The design of the electric cars eliminates over two-dozen mechanical components that would normally require service and maintenance. There are no spark plugs to replace, no oil changes to perform, no engine cooling system to service, and no drive belts to replace just to name a few.
The electric vehicles (EV) are much less expensive to maintain and service. The cabin air filter should be replaced annually, windshield wipers as needed, and brake services, suspension services, door lubrication services, tire rotations, and tire replacements and wheel alignments still all need to be performed according to manufacturer recommended schedules.
The batteries are the most important maintenance item on an electric vehicle. Preventative maintenance and proper charging will help extend the life of the high voltage batteries. These batteries are usually under a minimum 8 year or 100,000-mile warranty whichever comes first. Some of the electric automobile manufacturers have extended that to a 10 year or 100,000-mile warranty whichever comes first. There are 6 ways to help extend EV battery life:
- Minimize exposure to high temperatures (both while parked or driving the vehicle). Try to park in a shaded area whenever possible in hot weather.
- Minimize exposure to low temperatures. If you can keep the vehicle plugged in when it is very cold, it will keep the battery’s thermal management system working properly.
- Minimize time spent with battery at 100% state of charge. It is best to charge the battery to an 80% state of charge instead of 100%. Keeping it within the 40% to 80% state of charge is the least degrading on the battery. Too high of a state of charge, or too low of a state of charge, can cause corrosion, transition metal damage, internal mechanical stress and decompose the electrolyte.
- Minimize time spent at 0% state of charge. Most battery management systems will typically shut off prior to the 0% status. Try not to let it discharge to 0% and, if it does, get it charged back up ASAP.
- Avoid using fast charging. High voltage DC charging can be used for recharging during infrequent long trips, or when you are depleted by more than 70% and you need to drive it. But do not make it a habit. It is very hard on the battery when done frequently.
- Avoid discharging more quickly than is needed, the launch mode will give a drag strip style take off and take the car from 0 to 60 speed in about 2.45 seconds. While this is ok once in a while, it can cause the battery to discharge quickly. This causes mechanical stresses and amplifies volume changes in the battery.
The EV is also equipped with a 12-volt battery which operates the control modules, abs control modules, body control modules, power door locks and windows, power steering, and lighting systems.
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