Are you considering investing in an electric car? Prospective buyers have a lot of questions in their minds. However, one of the most important concerns is regarding electric vehicle maintenance costs. In general, EVs cost more than their ICE counterparts. That’s what makes people worry that the maintenance costs would be high as well. But is that the truth? Give this article a read to find out all the details about EV maintenance expenses.
Frequency of Electric Vehicle Maintenance
Most EVs need to be serviced at similar intervals to ICE cars. It’s usually after covering a specific distance or on an annual basis, depending on which comes first. But some manufacturers design the electric vehicles in such a way that you might have to visit an EV mechanic after 2 years of 30,000 km.
Do EVs Require More Maintenance Than Regular Cars?
The good news is that the need for an EV mechanic in Adelaide is lower than that for regular vehicles. This is for the following reasons:
- You have to opt for frequent petrol and hybrid car services because of different components like oil filters and transmissions. But EVs have fewer moving parts, which means the need for upkeep is less.
- The fewer number of parts in EVs reduces the need for frequent lubrication to keep the car functional. This means fewer visits to an automotive electrical repair mechanic.
- Your EV maintenance costs are usually lower because of regenerative braking. This ensures that kinetic energy transforms into electrical energy when the car is slowing down. It reduces wear and tear of the braking system and increases durability.
- EVs need a cooling system just like regular cars. But the system for regulating temperature is a lot simpler than ICE cars. This is one major reason behind the low maintenance cost of electric vehicles.
- The core systems in EVs can be substantially improved through software updates. So, you don’t need to run to a hybrid car repair shop to upgrade the functionality of your automobile.
EV Maintenance Costs for Some Common Cars
You are probably curious about the maintenance cost for electric vehicles from specific manufacturers. Here’s an overview of some of the top brands:
Tesla
You will usually not find set prices for Tesla’s maintenance practices. Only the replacement of the cabin filter comes with a fixed cost of $26. All other electric vehicle services are charged on a case-by-case basis.
Some of the best tips for Tesla EV maintenance are as follows:
- Tyre rotation after 10,000 km or when the tread depth difference is more than 1.5 mm.
- Air cabin filter replacement after a couple of years.
- AC desiccant bag replacement every three to four years.
- Washing and lubricating brake clipper after covering 20,000 km or every 1.2 months, particularly in cold areas.
- Testing the brake fluid every four years and maintaining optimal levels according to requirements.
Volvo
The electric variants of Volvo come with a complimentary service package. It ensures that the cost of EV maintenance is free for 150,000 km or five years, whichever comes first. You can go for scheduled repairs every 30,000 km or 2 years. Visit the official website of Volvo to get a complete overview of the maintenance costs of electric vehicles.
Polestar
Polestar is yet another cost-effective choice with an affordable EV maintenance cost. The Polestar 2 comes with a free package of 100,000 km or 5 years. You can go for scheduled service intervals every 30,000 km or a couple of years. The Polestar Australia website details the full terms and conditions of the servicing charges.
Ford
The Ford e-Transit van is the first model in the EV lineup of the manufacturer. Its service costs were capped at $195 annually, leading to approximately $975 over 10 years. The service intervals for this one is set every 30,000 km or 12 months.
The Mustang Mach-E SUV’s car electrical repair costs range between $135 and $180 per visit. The second scheduled servicing is the most expensive because it involves replacing the pollen filter. This model’s servicing interval is 15,000 km or 12 months, which approximates a total expense of $785 over five years.
The official Ford servicing calculator is a useful tool to get an estimate of the maintenance costs of EVs from this manufacturer.
Mini
The approximate mobile car electrician costs of the Mini Electric range between $1000 and $1500. You can choose from a basic servicing coverage package of four or six years.
The basic service package involves a standard check with the replacement of the brake fluid and AC filter. It also involves charging the battery of the vehicle to 75 to 80 per cent.
You will have to pay extra to get the front or rear brake pads replaced.
Kia
You will come across prepaid 5-year car mechanic service packages for the electric models of Kia. The maintenance costs range between $1350 to $1570 depending on the Kia EV model. The Kia Niro EV usually has the lowest expenses, followed closely by the Kia EV9. The Kia EV6 GT-Line and Air usually have higher maintenance costs.
The scheduled servicing intervals for all the EV models from the South Korean car maker is every 15,000 km or 12 months.
BYD
BYD’s servicing costs range between $189 to $447 per year. The expenses will vary according to the km/year interval. Usually, the total cost doesn’t go above $1384 over a period of five years. The average annual cost is around $299.
Also read: Essential Tips for Maintaining Your Electric Car: (Expert Guide)
Conclusion
The cost of maintenance for EV is lower than ICE models. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take your EV for servicing at all. You still need to spend your bucks on repairing and upgrading components like the brakes, headlights, taillights, and more. However, choosing an experienced mechanic in Adelaide with affordable charges will make your EV-owning experience smoother and lighter on your wallet.
