Do electric vehicles need servicing?

For this blog, the focus is not on electrified hybrids but on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).

While considerable misinformation surrounds them, remember that battery-powered cars are still cars. They retain many of the elements that combustion-powered vehicles possess, virtually all of which can wear and fail. Therefore, BEVs are not quite as different mechanically as we are led to believe.

One of the more worrying attitudes that surround BEVs is that they do not require routine maintenance. At best, this attitude will increase the risk of breakdown. At worst, it will be dangerous.

DO BEVs REQUIRE OIL CHANGES?

One of the most common arguments is that, because BEVs lack a combustion engine, they do not need any oil changes. This is not entirely true. As electric motors can produce virtually full power from a standstill, this places immense strain on the transmission and its lubricant. Therefore, some manufacturers, such as Tesla, specify oil change intervals, some of which require filters as well.

We are also seeing transmission failure on some BEVs and so it may be a good idea to change the transmission fluid and avoid racing starts.

DO BEVs REQUIRE FILTERS?

While the lack of a combustion engine means no filters for the fuel, or lubrication systems, your BEV may still possess filters that require routine replacement. While your car might possess an oil filter for the transmission, it will have a cabin/pollen filter. Most filter manufacturers recommend that these are replaced annually, or even more frequently, in dusty conditions.

DO BEVs REQUIRE ANTIFREEZE?

While the lack of an engine might make you think that a BEV lacks coolant, the truth is that some of them have liquid-cooled batteries and/or drive motors. As with combustion engines, these possess anti-corrosion additives that diminish with time. The problem is that most car manufacturers do not specify routine coolant changes but you should be aware that water-based coolant does not last forever.

As an alternative to water cooling, some BEVs use the air conditioning system not just to cool the battery pack and drive motors but also to warm them up, for optimum efficiency in cold weather - as pictured. Should the air conditioning system fail, however, the car is likely to break-down. This would not be the case with a conventional combustion-powered car. Therefore, having the refrigerant system checked periodically is wise preventative maintenance.

DO BEVs REQUIRE BATTERY CHECKS?

While BEVs have a high-voltage battery that is recharged using mains electricity, they utilise conventional low-voltage 12-volt batteries to activate and shut-down the high-voltage system. Should this low-voltage battery become discharged, the car will not enter 'Ready' mode and cannot be driven, even if the main high-voltage drive motor is fully-charged.

Therefore, this battery will require periodic checks for not only charge levels but also for capacity, as per combustion-engined cars. The slight exception is Tesla, which has fitted some of its more recent models with a 16-volt Lithium-ion battery, to help reduce instances of non-starts.

DOES ANYTHING ELSE ON BEVS REQUIRE REGULAR ATTENTION?

BEVs still possess relatively conventional suspension systems, with joints and bushes, like any other car. As BEVs tend to be heavier, many of these parts are placed under extra stress. Therefore, they benefit from periodic close inspection.

As there is some evidence that BEVs are twice as likely to suffer from wheel and tyre breakdowns than internal combustion-engined vehicles, it is prudent to take precautions with tyre inspections. At a proper service, the tyres should be removed from the car and inspected closely for defects.

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