Electric vehicles (EVs) have been making headlines for all the right reasons. If it’s not their innovation, class, or design, it’s their environmental friendliness. They are the future of transportation, and they come fully clad in sustainability and excitement.
Compared to their gasoline-powered counterparts, EVs require less maintenance. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, and this reduces maintenance significantly.
However, keep in mind that electric cars are not maintenance-free and occasionally require some TLC. But how do you keep the electric vehicle in top condition?
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EV Battery Maintenance
The heart of an EV is its battery. It is a vital organ.
The state your battery is in can determine your ride’s quality, so you should keep it in the best condition.
But what are the best practices for keeping the EV battery in the best condition to serve you better and for longer? For starters, never let your battery run out completely. The term used to describe this situation is “deep discharge,” and if left to run its course can ruin your battery’s capacity over time.
Ideally, the battery charge should be between 20 and 80% if your goal is to prolong the battery life and ensure it performs at optimum levels.
With so many electric car charging options available, our expert review narrows down the best electric car chargers on the market this year.
Keep the Shine on Your Vehicle
While electric cars are generally friendlier to the environment than gasoline vehicles, that doesn’t mean you can leave dust and debris lying around on their surface.
A brand new car paint job is the eye candy on city roads and highways, and for most people, that’s more than enough motivation to keep the surface looking good.
The exterior could do with a regular wash and detailing to protect the paint and maintain that original shine that initially attracted you to it. Paint protection also safeguards your EV from cosmetic imperfections, rust, and harsh weather. If you reside in hot weather conditions, consider car paint protection film. This protects the car paint from fading and peeling away.
EV Tire Maintenance
The thing is, electric vehicles are heavier than their gasoline cousins, and the extra 10 to 20% weight bears down on the tires. That means the tires wear out faster.
Keep an eye on the tire tread and tire pressure, and rotate regularly. Tire rotation ensures the tires wear out evenly and last longer to save you a few bucks. This is important for the EV’s overall performance.
Check the wheel alignment at least every six months or sooner when you have hit an obstacle such as a pothole or curb. Once in a while, visit your friendly neighborhood tire dealer and let him check for excessive wear.
Your choice of replacement tires should focus on strength and overall quality. Meanwhile, the absence of engine noise doesn’t mean you can go all out without considering tire noise. Keep in mind that a low tire noise adds to the overall driving pleasure, so don’t skimp on it.
Check the Brake Pads
The EV braking systems are not like the regular brakes on gasoline vehicles. They’re miles different! EVs use regenerative braking to capture the energy generated from the braking action and send it to the battery for storage.
The EV brake pads typically have a longer lifespan than those on gasoline vehicles, but they still need to be replaced over time. Keep an eye on them as well, and whenever necessary, replace with original equipment.
Keep Your EV Software Updated
The technology and gadgetry on electric cars are on overdrive. In some vehicles, the screens, connectivity, and functionality make the cabin feel like a cockpit.
That said, the software that runs the electronic components needs to be updated regularly to ensure the car runs smoothly. Updating the software fixes bugs, improves security and performance, and adds new features to the electric vehicle. Check for updates regularly and ensure they’re installed.
Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, so their maintenance needs are less than those of gasoline vehicles. However, you still need to provide regular care and attention. Keep the battery charged at appropriate levels, and regularly check on the brakes, tires, and software. Good maintenance practices allow your EV to provide a safe, silent, and enjoyable ride for longer. In addition, giving you EV the required TLC is a major vote for a cleaner and better environment for everyone.
