Don’t forget EVs need regular servicing to keep them in tip top condition

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are very different to petrol or diesel cars, and with fewer moving parts it’s leaving a lot of new EV drivers asking the question: “do I need to service my EV?”. Well, to put it bluntly, yes. Car maintenance isn’t all about fixing issues, it’s just as much about preventing issues before they happen and keeping the drivers and passengers safe. Caring for key components of your car will also extend its lifespan and improve its reliability and avoid you facing a charge.

How often do I need to service my EV?

The good news is that an EV service can be less regular than combustion engine cars, but it’s worth checking your car’s onboard handbook to see what the manufacturer recommends. For instance, some manufacturers recommend servicing your EV every 18,000 miles, while others recommend you service your EV every two years regardless of mileage. Not all EV’s will let a driver know when a service is due so, be sure to take a look at the manufacturer recommended service schedules for your car and get it booked in, after all it is already included in your Tusker agreement.

Software Updates

EVs are jam-packed with tech, and it’s all run from the car’s central computer. From time to time, some cars will perform over the air updates which means bugs or faults are fixed online without you having to take it into a garage through an App downloadable to your phone or the car’s computer.

Some manufacturers will offer additional updates or upgrades at a garage, but it’s worth checking whether there’s a fee involved to get the system updated – as it may not be included in your agreement.

Keeping your software up to date can fix bugs, add new features, and improve your overall driving experience – a famous Tesla update in 2020 added nearly 10% to the range of its cars! They can also improve the security of your car and protect you from cyber threats.

Tyres

Like petrol and diesel cars, EVs will eventually need their tyres replaced to ensure they’re safe to drive. Be sure to regularly check your tyre tread as you would do on a petrol or diesel car and get them replaced as needed.

Don’t forget tyre replacement is included as part of salary sacrifice package with Tusker and tyres are able to be replaced at 2mm instead of the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

Consumables

Although your car doesn’t have a traditional engine, it still relies on various fluids and coolants that keep the car running smoothly. Generally, you need to top-up the coolant every 50,000 – 100,000 miles in EVs, depending on the manufacturer, which is less frequently than petrol and diesel cars, but generally your EV will let you know when levels are getting low.

EVs use regenerative braking which is kinder on parts like brake pads and while the brake fluid doesn’t need changing as often as ICE cars, it typically needs checking by a garage every two years, when it goes in for a service

Battery Health

The battery is the lifeblood of your EV. As well as being responsible for powering every part of the car, it’s also the most expensive component to replace, so arguably, the most important! While regular servicing can find any issues or even prevent them altogether, please:

• Minimise rapid and ultra rapid charging unless you need it for on-the-go charging
• Aim to keep your everyday EV charge between 20% and 80%, and limit fully charging your EV for longer distance trips

Warranty

New EVs come with a warranty on the car and battery, and like petrol or diesel cars, if the conditions of the warranty aren’t followed then it can compromise the cover you get from a new EV and could even mean there’s a cost for you to pay. It’s likely that one of those conditions is completing services at regular intervals, so check your warranty and make sure you’re fulfilling your obligations as part of the manufacturer’s recommendations.