EV Ownership Made Easy Navigating Maintenance and Repairs

Electric car repairs, servicing and maintenance: a complete guide

There are many benefits associated with electric cars, and one of them is that they generally require less and less frequent maintenance than a diesel or petrol vehicle. The main reason for this is that EVs have much fewer moving parts under the metal.

They do still require maintenance, however, and it's just as important to ensure your EV gets its regular check-ups, in order to preserve manufacturer warranty cover, as well as for safety and peace of mind. Read on for our full guide to electric-car servicing and maintenance.

Electric car servicing: general information

If youve previously owned a petrol or diesel car, the idea of having your vehicle serviced on a regular, predetermined basis will feel very familiar. Youll have a similar experience running an electric car, but thats not to say the servicing schedule is the same.

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In general, electric vehicles require less maintenance and less frequent servicing, and in many cases should be cheaper to run as a result. There are fewer moving parts and theres less to check on an annual or even biennial basis. Careful, though; just because your car requires fewer services, you shouldnt take your eye off consumables like tyres, lights and wipers. These should be checked on a regular basis.

Service schedules are available from your local dealer or direct from the manufacturer. Generally, all cars require servicing after a certain period of time or a given mileage. Keeping on top of this schedule will keep your car in top condition, and will ensure any remaining warranty is kept intact.

Which parts of an electric car need servicing?

While an electric vehicle has fewer moving parts, its still important to get your car serviced regularly. Internal-combustion engines (petrol or diesel) are complicated, potentially including hundreds of separate parts all working in unison, and some of those, like spark plugs, engine oil, oil and air filters, and coolant will need checking and changing on a fairly regular basis.

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Electric cars are generally much simpler in terms of what they need to start and go, but since they still need to roll, turn, and stop, there are also a lot of service items they share with conventional vehicles. The parts that are generally covered by an electric car service include items such as brakes, suspension, tyres, steering (and tracking essentially, the parts that keep your car driving straight and true), plus lights, wipers and cabin filters. This list is by no means exhaustive, and a comprehensive service will cover this and much more.

Remember, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars have engines, and therefore require many of the same checks as a conventional petrol or diesel model.

Many car manufacturers also offer updates for the software and firmware on electric vehicles. A great number of these can be done wirelessly over the air (OTA) but some may still require a physical connection at a dealer. While being serviced your car may not only get a check-up, but come back to you with some improvements even including greater range or performance, in some cases.

Where to get an electric car serviced

If you buy a brand-new hybrid or electric vehicle, chances are youll be offered an all-inclusive service plan thatll take care of many of the costs and concerns associated with running a car fresh off the forecourt. Of course, the best place to get your new car serviced is with your registered main dealer; with your warranty intact, theres likely to be little chance of retribution from the manufacturer should anything go wrong.

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But what are your options if you buy a used car, or youd like to use an independent electric-car specialist? While not all garages are qualified to work on electric or hybrid cars, an increasing number are. The best place to check local garages near you is via the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair Alliance (HEVRA), which has a list of facilities available allowing you to search by town or postcode.

All of the garages have been vetted for the right tools and qualifications, and receive ongoing training and unlimited technical support from HEVRA. A quick search around DrivingElectrics central London office shows three EV-friendly garages in Swanley, Sunbury and Hampton. There are plenty to choose from, in fact, including several in Scotland, Wales, and even the Channel Islands.

Electric-car servicing plans

Like many petrol or diesel cars, electric vehicles are often available with all-inclusive service plans. These will rarely cover consumables like tyres or brakes, but should look after other essentials like brake fluid and battery health as well as checking items like the suspension, steering and electrics.

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Manufacturers offer a variety of deals, most of which will last for between two and five years. Theyll normally allow you to pay up front or on a monthly basis, depending on which you prefer. One thing to note is that you may find your new electric car has longer service intervals (see below), thanks in part to its less complex powertrain.

Of course, you can also pay for a one-off service, though this is likely to cost you slightly more per service than if you were to take out an annual or pay-monthly plan.

Electric-car service intervals

Electric cars often have longer service intervals than their petrol or diesel equivalents, due largely to the fact they have fewer moving parts. This not only helps reduce cost, but relative wear and tear should be minimal, too.

Take the Vauxhall Corsa Electric as an example: this electric small car only requires a check-up every two years or 16,000 miles; buy a petrol version and youll find yourself popping by your local dealer for a service every 12 months or 12,500 miles.

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On the other hand, Europe's best-selling electric car, the Tesla Model Y as well as the Model 3, S and Xdoesn't have a fixed service schedule. Instead, the car will notify you via the infotainment screen when the car is due a service; you can schedule and alter an appointment all via the Tesla app, with the option of going to your local Tesla Centre, or having the technicians come to you.

Electric-car servicing vs hybrid servicing

Electric car servicing is slightly different to petrol or diesel car servicing. An electric motor is much less complex than a petrol or diesel engine, with fewer wear and tear items attached to it that need checking or replacing come service time. That generally means that servicing an EV is cheaper.

By their nature, blending both combustion and electric power, hybrids are typically more like regular petrol cars than electric cars even if they share a few components with EVs, such as their batteries and motors. They still require spark plugs, engine oil and coolant, plus various belts and pulleys to work as intended so servicing is more complex, and you should expect the cost to generally mirror that of regular petrol and diesel vehicles, rather than EVs.

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Thats not universal however some manufacturers, like Vauxhall, group hybrids in with electric cars, making these models cheaper to service than the equivalent petrol or diesel version.

Electric-car service costs

Its often the case that servicing an electric car is cheaper than it is for an equivalent petrol or diesel model. This is thanks largely to the less complex powertrain, but also due to the fact that there are fewer consumables and moving parts. Make sure you do the sums, however, as the longer intervals and less frequent services may mean that these plans actually work out costing a similar amount over time.

Electric-car servicing: exclusions

Like with any car, there will be things that arent covered in an electric car service. However, what is and isnt included isnt all that dissimilar; consumables like tyres will be checked, but will only be replaced at the owners cost, while all the necessary fluids will be subject to a visual inspection.

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Of course, if a major problem is detected and this is true for petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars the garage carrying out the service will flag this and offer you options to have the fault rectified. Depending on what the issue is (and what caused it), will depend on whether this is covered by the service plan or warranty or whether youll need to fork out for repairs.

Electric-car batteries and servicing

Most electric cars come with an independent battery warranty, many of which last much longer than the standard manufacturer warranty for the rest of the car. For example, every Nissan Leaf comes with a five-year/60,000-mile manufacturer warranty, but the battery is covered separately for up to eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes soonest.

In this case, the battery will be replaced free of charge if the maximum capacity drops below nine bars, out of the 12 that are displayed on the Leafs screen. Normally, an electric cars battery will be subject to a health check at each service, with a report on its state of health (SoH) offered at the end.

Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk,and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

HotCars

It used to be that the major concern for car shoppers interested in going electric is finding a mechanic who knows his/her way around an EV. Most service providers already adept with combustion engines were at a loss of what to do with an automobile without an engine. People just took their electric cars to the dealership for servicing.

First off, do electric cars require a lot of maintenance? According to the US Department of Energy, "All-electric vehicles typically require less maintenance than conventional vehicles because the battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance. There are fewer fluids such as engine oil that require regular maintenance." So, how much is the maintenance cost of electric cars? That depends to a large extent on the elasticity and quality of your warranty.

Besides mischievous mechanics, even the dealership will have trouble finding a lot to milk you for when servicing a fairly new EV. The reason is as simple as the simplicity of an EVs e-motor. Electric motors have less than a fraction of the working parts in ICE-powered cars. With significantly fewer parts to wear and tear, it's simpler and cheaper to fix and maintain an EV. By industry estimates, EVs ask for one-third of the cost of maintaining a gas-powered car. Bottom line: EVs require considerably less maintenance than their gas-powered counterparts. Below are the best with the lowest maintenance cost.

Related: These Are The 10 Cheapest Electric Cars You Can Buy Right Now

10 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Ten Years Maintenance Cost $7,871

Edmunds described the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric as a fully electric subcompact SUV that offers excellent value and a sneaky fun driving experience. The current model, says US news, is luring auto shoppers with a "low starting price, wealth of standard equipment, and lively performance.

Its especially suitable for owners who wish to use it as a daily driver and dont need plenty of interior or cargo room. CarEdge estimates the Hyundai Kona will cost about $7,871 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service, beating the industry average for popular SUV models by $1,262.

9 2022 Tesla Model X Plaid Ten Years Maintenance Cost $5,723

Tesla claimed the Model X Plaid has the most power and quickest acceleration of any SUV, the highest-performing SUV ever built. Tesla's claim of the Model X as the safest, fastest, and most capable electric SUV on the road isn't far-fetched, considering the SUV's capability to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and complete the quarter-mile run in 9.9 seconds.

Those are extraordinary stats for an SUV of the Model Xs weight 5,421 lbs. precisely. Indeed, the Model X is the fastest-accelerating production SUV today. By CarEdges estimates, a Tesla Model X will cost about $5,723 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This figure beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by a class-leading $9,991. It also has the lowest probability of needing a major repair in the first ten years (11.68%), which is27.88% better than similar vehicles in this segment.

8 2023 Kia Niro EV Annual Maintenance Cost $142

The Niro got fully redesigned to kick off its second generation in 2023. It now sports a more distinctive styling and a roomier interior. As with the previous generation, the Kia Niro still straddles the space between a wagon and a small SUV.

The nameplate offers three efficient modes of transport, including a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and pure electric. The Niro EV model offers a cheaper alternative to the brands larger EV6 without compromising much on the range and creature comforts. According to YourMechanic, the estimated cost to maintain and repair a Kia Niro EV ranges from $95 to $404, with an average of $142.

7 2023 Nissan Leaf Annual Maintenance Cost $748

The Nissan Leaf is a popular, affordable EV because it gets a lot right; great mileage of up to 215 miles of range, a quiet cabin, and plenty of safety plus driver-aid features that make navigating through traffic less tiring.

As usual, the 2023 Leaf is a green hatchback offered in two trims the S and SV Plus trim levels. According to RepairPal, "the average annual repair cost is $748, which means it has average ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are both much lower than other vehicles, so the LEAF is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road."

6 2023 Chevrolet Bolt Annual Maintenance Cost $238

Like the Kia Niro, Chevrolet redesigned the little Bolt for the 2022 model year. However, its still the same Bolt on the 2017 platform, praised for its surprisingly spacious interior, impressive range, and fun-to-drive nature.

The latest redesign added a nicer touch to the interior, although the ride quality could be better, same as the relatively slow DC fast charging. Ultimately, the new Bolt is a smart pick for a low-priced EV. RepairPals estimated cost to maintain and repair a Chevrolet Bolt EV ranges from $95 to $4496, with an average of $238.

5 2023 Tesla Model Y Ten Years Maintenance Cost $4,732

The first thing you should know about the 2023 Tesla Model Y is that its an all-electric compact SUV with an impressive 330 miles of range on a single battery charge. Keep that in mind as we await the results of the NHTSA's investigation after it received two complaints that steering wheels detached in Model Y vehicles while people were driving.

In the meantime, the 2023 Model Y Performance will sprint from rest to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, use a lowered suspension, feature an upgraded sound system, and roll with more aggressive-looking 20-inch alloy wheels. CarEdge estimates a Tesla Model Y will cost about $4,732 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, beating the industry average for luxury SUV models by $10,982.

Related: 10 Car Brands That Build The Best Electric Cars

4 2023 Tesla Model S Ten Years Maintenance Cost $4,566

Edmunds called the Model S Plaid the Usain Bolt of the car world; Line it up at a drag strip, and it'll outsprint pretty much anything on the road today. Add the hatchbacks practicality to the companys expansive supercharger network, and the Model S is a compelling value for money.

CarEdge says a Tesla Model S will cost about $4,566 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, which beats the industry average for luxury sedan models by $7,395. According to RepairPal, the average Tesla maintenance cost is $832 per year. By CarEdges analysis, the Model S has a low8.64% chance of requiring a major repair during the first ten years, which is an impressive 30.92% better than similar vehicles in this segment.

3 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Annual Maintenance Cost $262

Once upon a time, the major drawback or disadvantage of electric cars is their limited range. These days, EVs now have ranges well over 300 miles. Take the EQS, for example. A real-world test by Edmunds found that the electric S-Class beat the current Tesla Model S's EPA estimate of 405 miles.

Performance and luxury EVs can also be relatively cheap to maintain. Edmunds ranked the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS #2 out of 6 for exotic performance electric cars. As an S-Class to the core, you can expect a quiet, full-featured cabin. YourMechanic estimates the cost to maintain and repair a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ ranges from $95 to $1697, with an average of $262.

2 2023 Tesla Model 3 Ten Years Maintenance Cost $3,587

Even though electric car repair costs are comparatively cheaper, the Tesla Model 3s estimated $3,587 ten years repair and maintenance cost is on the lower side of the industry average for luxury sedan models by roughly $8,374, according to CarEdge.

The 2023 model starts at $42,990 for the base version with rear-wheel drive and a maximum range of 272 miles. The Performance variant starts at just under $54,000 and asks for an extra $15,000 to add the Full Self-Driving Capability package.

1 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Annual Maintenance Cost $327

RepairPal doesnt have enough data on the 2023 Ioniq to provide an accurate annual maintenance estimate for the model. However, YourMechanic estimates a Hyundai Ioniq annual repair and maintenance costs range from $95 to $20067, with an average of $327.

The Ioniq retreats to retro-themed styling to embody the comfortable and generously equipped interior. Some of Ioniqs highlights include the user-friendly interior design, quick DC fast charging, dual-motor powertrain, and a comfortable ride.

Sources: CarEdge, RepairPal, Edmunds, YourMechanic