electric car care

Electric cars are becoming more and more available to the public nowadays. Although they cost more to purchase than their mechanical counterparts, people are starting to appreciate their economic benefits.   

Top 3 Ways to Maintain an Electric Car

However, like their counterparts, electric cars also need maintenance. Taking care of your electric cars helps extend their life span. Like all EVs, they will lose a small amount of health over time but they usually can last up to 20 years before they need replacing. Below are some ways to take care of your electric cars. 

  • Stick between 20 to 30 percent charge 

It’s recommended that you never run your RV under 20 percent battery or charge it more than 80 percent unless it is extremely necessary. You might want to change the settings on your car to keep the battery inside this range.  

  • Only charge up complete for long trips 

You can charge up to 100 percent if you’re on a long road trip. Fully charge your battery all the time can cause it to easily degrade. If possible, slowly charge your battery. Rapid chargers can be convenient but they are not the best for your battery health.  

  • Give your EV a run regularly 

Like fuel-powered vehicles, EVs also need regular running to keep them in tip-top shape. Taking care of your EV is not a big job but a bit extra effort can help maintain better battery health for years to come.  

Does it generally cost more to maintain an electric car?  

The quick answer is no, in general. While electric vehicle requires a bigger investment for purchase, it is generally cheaper to maintain them. In this section, we will tell you exactly how it can help you save on maintenance.  

Electric vehicles can save their owners cash on an ongoing basis via lower long-term maintenance costs. One thing, is they don’t need oil changes or air-filter replacements like fuel-operated cars. According to automakers, electric vehicle maintenance only cost around $330 monthly, which is lesser than gas-powered cars. Moreover, the electricity required to drive 15, 000 miles annually for EVs only cost $546 compared with the whooping $1,255 for gas-powered vehicles. 

How caring for your EV is different than a combustion engine 

Although EVs don’t run on gas or diesel it still requires maintenance such as tire rotation, replacing the cabin air filter and wiper blades, and topping the washer fluid among others. There are several differences in the care between your electric car and combustion engine.  

Twice a year, you need to flush the corrosive materials from the underbody using a pressure washer. Every 15, 000 miles, you have to replace the windshield wiper blades as they eventually lose their efficiency but unlike gas-powered cars, you don’t need to change the oil. Every 36, 000 miles you need to replace the cabin air filter. If you have a gas-powered car, you may need to change the cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. You have to check your car’s manual to ensure the proper timing.  

Every 75, 000 miles, you need to replace the hood and body lift support for gas struts. For a gas-powered car, you have to do it and generally change it after 10 years. You can buy one from the manufacturer at the dealership parts department or you can search online for an OEM replacement part.  

Differences in car repainting, touch-up, and dent repair processes when applied to EVs  

The huge difference between EVs and gas-powered cars can be felt during repainting, touch-up, and dent repair. One of the most vital aspects when repairing and repainting and the electric car is the drying temperature. Since EVs are more delicate than gas-powered vehicles, auto body techs should maintain an average maximum temperature of 65°C only. More than that can damage the storage capacity and its battery.  

In this case, EV owners might want to consider immediate coat paints and finish paints solutions combined with fast hardeners. The faster they dry, the safer your batteries are. On the other hand, gas-powered vehicles may be less tricky than electric vehicles. The traditional painting process can be applied to gas-powered cars because there’s no battery storage that you would have to worry about. In any case, you should find a trusted body shop to do the touch-up for you.  

Other differences can also be seen when repairing dents, getting the right parts, and moving the vehicles. Whereas electric vehicles require specific spare parts directly from the dealership, gas-powered vehicles can settle with parts you can buy from other suppliers. Moreover, EVs will always require a flatbed towing in case you need to bring them to the shop for repair. Traditional towing can damage their wheels, potentially creating a shocking hazard to its unique engine design. On the other hand, gas-powered vehicles can use different towing methods depending on their weight and capacity. 

Related article: Get Tips from the Experts on How to Care for Car Finishes. 

EV ownership brings a lot of advantages especially when it comes to its economic benefits. Even so, whether you own an EV or a gas-powered vehicle it is a matter of choice. For consumers who are interested in electric vehicles, make sure you visit a trusted dealership, test drives your choice, and ask the right question to arrive at the best conclusion. 

RELIABLE CARE for All Types of Cars 

For all your auto repair needs, get in touch with Badell’s Collision. We have two family-owned body shop locations in Aston and Malvern. For a quick quote, use the online estimate form. 

 

 

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