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The Complete Guide to Electric Car Maintenance

Many people are switching to electric cars right now, which is fantastic to see. Electric cars can help people to reduce their environmental impact. Still, you can also make huge long-term savings, and many are switching now to protect themselves against the rising cost of fuel (and living in general). These cars are very different from traditional vehicles, though, and people must know how to maintain them. This article gives you a guide to electric car maintenance. 

Table of Contents

Battery Maintenance

The battery technology is constantly improving in electric cars, but even the early mass-produced vehicles hold up well. Electric car batteries can last well over 100,000 miles, and early research shows that battery health can deteriorate by around 10% over five years. Most manufacturers offer a battery warranty for 100,000 miles which should be plenty. However, you will still want to maintain the battery by keeping the state of charge between 20 and 80%, avoiding rapid charging where possible, and taking the car for regular, short drives.

MOT

Electric cars will need to pass an annual MOT after three years like any other car. The test is largely the same other than removing the emissions test, so you can still prepare your electric car for an MOT in the same way as before. It is recommended that you book an MOT online as electric car parts are more expensive to replace, and booking in good time will reduce the likelihood of an expensive replacement.

Tires

It is worth knowing that the weight of electric cars from the battery can put greater strain on the car tires, so you may want to keep a closer eye on these. Maintenance is the same, though, which would include checking the tire pressure regularly and changing as required. You should also check the tire tread depth – 1.6mm is the legal minimum for electric and traditional vehicles. 

Brakes

There is less wear and tear on the brakes in an electric car due to regenerative braking. The disks and pads still need maintenance, on an electric car which is why the MOT is still so important. You should also pay close attention to the performance of the brakes and visit a mechanic if you notice any changes. You should also check the brake fluid level to ensure that it is at the right level.

It is easy to see why so many are switching to electric cars. You need to understand the difference and what this means when it comes to maintenance. Electric cars require basic maintenance like any other type of vehicle. Still, there are a few differences to be aware of, and it is important that you have a reliable garage that you can take the car to for its MOT and any repairs that need completing.

Featured Image by Davgood Kirshot from Pixabay