Maintaining Your Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicles, like the famous Tesla line and the versions being offered by the more traditional car companies, have become all the rage for those who can afford them. Aside from being better for the environment, since they are emission-free, EVs are not only cheaper to keep powered than gas and diesel vehicles are to fuel up, but they are easier and cheaper to maintain.Electric vehicles lack an internal combustion engine and the sort of multispeed transmissions that gas and diesel cars require, reducing potential areas of breakdown and thus maintenance costs. However, some similarities exist between EVs and more conventional vehicles that you need to pay attention to.Tires are the same in an electric car as in a more conventional vehicle. You need to periodically check the tread wear on your tires, no matter how your vehicle is powered. Check your tire pressure. Periodically, you should have your tires rotated. If you notice that your electric vehicle is pulling to one side or another when you brake, you may need to take it in for a front-end alignment.Brakes are always a concern, however your vehicle is powered. Electric vehicles use a regenerative braking system that uses the vehicle's kinetic energy to help recharge the batteries. This means that the brake pads wear down more slowly.You should also check the windshield wiper fluid and refill it as needed.The batteries in an electric car need to be regularly monitored. Over time, after constant charging and discharging, EV batteries start to lose their ability to hold a charge, thus decreasing the range of your vehicle. Most dealers offer extended warranties for the batteries. However, after a certain point, you will be faced with either trading up to a newer model EV or replacing the batteries, which can run you as much as $5,000.Every electric vehicle, just like the gas guzzler you are used to driving, has a list of scheduled maintenance tasks that should be performed by a skilled technician at the dealer or a shop that is equipped to maintain EVs. Adhere to this schedule.Remember, keeping your electric vehicle running properly will cost far less than a gas or diesel vehicle. An EV has fewer moving parts and particular fluids that need periodic changing. The motor, the battery, and the associated electronics need little or no work during the life of the vehicle.In short, ease and cost of maintenance are selling points for electric vehicles, but you still need to take care of them to keep them running well.
