17/05/2023
Do Electric Cars Need Servicing?
With sustainability at the forefront of future manufacturing, more and more people are buying electric cars. If you own an electric car, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of what electric car servicing is, how it differs from servicing petrol or diesel cars and why you need it.
Read our guide below to learn more about electric car servicing and why you need it for your Electric Vehicle (EV).
What is an Electric Car Service?
An electric car service is a general and thorough examination of the health and condition of your EV. Just like petrol or diesel car servicing, electric car servicing ensures your vehicle is running as smoothly, efficiently and safely as possible.
Unlike regular cars, there’s only one type of service for electric cars. You don’t have to choose between an Interim, Full or Major Service for your EV. Instead, you simply book an annual service.
Which parts of the car are checked in an Electric Car Service?
Electric car motors are different to combustion engines and have fewer moving parts. This means an electric car service examines fewer parts and generally takes less time. An electric car service checks specific EV components, as well as parts that a regular car service examines, including:
Electric motor and battery – Both will require a quick check with a diagnostic machine to examine general health and ensure no faults.
High-voltage cabling – Checked for damage from the road.
Brakes – EVs use regenerative braking so there’s likely to be less wear on the brakes, such as worn brake discs or pads, which is common with regular cars.
Tyres – Because of their batteries, electric cars are much heavier than petrol or diesel cars so tyres may experience increased wear and tear.
Suspension – Similar to tyres, the increased weight of EVs means that suspension systems need to be checked for excess wear.
Steering – Checked for leaks, looseness, power steering fluid, wear and loose mounting bolts and bushings.
Heating and ventilation system – Checked for dirt and debris in the air filter, and the cabin air filter will usually be changed.
How long does an Electric Car Service take?
As an electric car service checks fewer parts than a petrol or diesel car service, it can also take less time. On average, an electric car service will generally take around 2 hours.
Why Does an Electric Car need servicing?
Although EVs run off a simpler engine than petrol or diesel cars, it is still equally as important to have your electric car regularly serviced.
Like regular car servicing, electric car servicing isn’t a legal requirement. However, it’s strongly recommended and has numerous benefits for your EV, including:
Improving safety for you and other road users
Increasing lifespan of certain components (e.g. tyres or suspension systems)
Improving your EV’s economy
Maintaining vehicle value
How often does an Electric Car Need Servicing?
Generally, electric cars need servicing less frequently than regular cars. Service interval periods will usually depend on your manufacturer, so you will likely be able to find a recommended servicing interval time in your manual or servicing log.
Although needed less frequently, regular servicing for electric cars is still highly recommended to maintain the condition of your car and ensure optimum safety and efficiency, as well as reaping all the other benefits listed above.
How Much does an Electric Car Service Cost?
The cost of electric car servicing depends on where you get your EV serviced. As EVs are an emerging market, it’s important to ensure you visit a garage with certified electric car servicing.
Whilst visiting your main manufacturer dealer is often the most obvious option, it can also be less convenient and further to travel to. Often a more convenient option is to use a local garage that is certified to do electric car servicing.
Here at Hope Street Garage we are trained and certified through IMI and approved garages to carry out MOT’s, servicing and repairs on hybrid and EV’s.
