Does An Electric Vehicle Require More Maintenance?

Over the last few years, electric and hybrid vehicles have become quite popular as a choice among road users. The main reason is that fuel-run cars involve high maintenance costs. But, as the purchasing costs for electric vehicles are still higher, many people do not find the courage to buy them, thinking about the maintenance costs to be higher, too. This blog discusses all the important aspects of electric vehicle services and maintenance that every potential buyer should know.

Does an electric vehicle require more maintenance?

Servicing an electric vehicle requires a specialist who has the proper knowledge and experience of handling specific car parts and tools. Currently, not all car repair services provider have qualified electric vehicle technicians, but with the rising demand for these cars, finding a mechanic is expected to become easier in the coming years.
Compared to the internal combustion engine used in diesel and petrol cars, an electric motor is less complex and involves a much simpler mechanism with fewer parts that can get damaged with time. In addition, you will not need to worry about any oil, fuel filter, or spark plug replacement.
In short, an electric vehicle requires less maintenance than a conventional car, provided you take good care of it from the beginning.
The following sections discuss important comparisons between costs involved in two types of vehicles.

Costs involved in electric vehicles vs costs involved in petrol cars: some comparisons

Whenever you decide to own a car, you have to consider the budget factor. Besides the purchasing price, you will also need to consider other expenses like insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance costs, etc. Going through the following comparisons may help you make a wise choice on the type of car you want.

Comparisons in terms of upfront costs

Electric vehicles have a battery that you can charge via the power grid. Even though people are getting more interested in EVs, the demands are still not a match for conventional petrol-run vehicles, resulting in a lower number of car parts. This factor is why electric vehicles are available at higher costs.
Also, as manufacturers have to spend a lot on the research and development of these cars, they are left with no option but to keep a higher price tag.

Comparison in terms of cost per km

As per the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia, when it comes to powering an electric vehicle, the costs are 70% less than cars with petrol or diesel-powered internal-combustion engines. So, having an EV will help you save an average cost of $1600 in fuel every year.
According to the estimate of this organization, while the average fuel cost for an internal-combustion engine car is $1.50 per liter, it becomes 0.33c per liter for an electric car. With the average distance covered by an Australian being 15000 km per year, it will cost $0.14 per km for fuel cars and 0.04c per km for electric counterparts.
Moreover, if you have solar panels at your residence, you can charge your car battery with them. In that case, the cost of powering your vehicle will become almost zero.

Comparison in terms of maintenance costs

We have already mentioned that electric vehicles have fewer engine components than conventional cars. It means they do not require frequent servicing or replacement, and thus, maintenance costs become lower.
According to the estimates provided by the Electric Vehicle Council, maintenance expenses for EVs are 2 cents per kilometer, while that for petrol cars is nearly 7 cents per kilometer.
Lithium-ion battery technology has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, and using them in your car means you will not need to worry about battery life for at least ten years. With battery costs expected to decrease significantly in coming years and vehicle manufacturers offering a 10-year warranty on batteries, EVs can be the perfect long-term choice.

How often should you inspect your electric vehicle?

Though electric vehicles need less maintenance, experts always recommend that you have your vehicle inspected after every 30000 km, compared to every 15000 to 20000 km for a fuel-powered car. How frequently you will need a vehicle inspection will also depend on several factors like your driving habits, roads that you usually drive on, etc.
However, you have to make sure that your car is checked by a certified professional, which is why it will be better to contact a top-ranked electric vehicle services provider.

The Bottom Line

Servicing an electric vehicle cannot be performed by any mechanic, and as an owner, you have to keep it in mind. If you are a resident of Perth, consider yourself lucky as several car repair shops offer top-quality EV servicing. Bringing your car to one of these centers will undoubtedly be beneficial. So, for an excellent car repair experience in Perth, contact them.