With charging infrastructure constantly growing, and EVs becoming more and more accessible and affordable, owning an Electric Vehicle is no longer a distant dream. With almost all major OEMs now offering reliable EV products, buying an electric vehicle can be a smarter choice to make. But no matter which EV you choose, the key to a hassle-free EV ownership experience is proper maintenance and upkeep. Much like other battery-powered equipment and machines, EVs too need to be duly maintained in order for them to deliver optimum performance. So if you are planning to buy an electric vehicle soon, or if you already have one at home, here are the best maintenance practices that can help you get the best out of your EV.
Prioritise Battery Care and Health
Just like engines are the heart and soul of ICE vehicles, the battery is what makes or breaks an electric vehicle. It is the most crucial component of any EV and the reason why battery care and health should be your priority. Much like your mobile phones, EV batteries are designed to give an optimum output throughout its life cycle, but the way you maintain your battery can largely determine its overall longevity. Thus, in order to ensure that your EV’s battery stays healthy for long, make sure to follow these simple tips:
Do not overcharge your battery
The biggest reason behind EV Batteries becoming inefficient over time is overcharging. Unless you need to go on a long trip, there is no need to charge your battery to 100%. While this may seem counterintuitive, repeatedly charging your EV’s battery to its maximum capacity may cause it to wear at a faster rate. Instead, try to maintain a 20-80% charge, for maximised battery efficiency and health. For this, you can either set charging timers or keep an eye on how much your EV is charging. If at any time you feel you need to embark upon a long journey, juice up your EV to the max. If not, try to charge it before the battery drops below 20% and try to turn off the charging once the battery reaches 80%.
Do not undercharge your battery
As much as it is important not to overcharge your electric vehicle’s battery, it is also important not to undercharge your EV’s batteries in order to maintain optimum performance and avoid battery degradation. Thus, avoid leaving your electric vehicle with little or no charge for a longer duration of time. Doing so can negatively affect your car’s battery health and may cause the battery to lose its optimum capacity faster. It is advised to always keep your EV’s battery charged to at least 20%.
Do not expose your battery to high temperatures
Another thing that can negatively affect your EV’s battery is extreme temperature. While extremely low temperatures can lower your battery’s range, extreme heat can result in faster degradation overall. This is why it is advised to park your EVs under a shade, especially during hot summer months.
Rely on fast chargers only when needed
While modern-day EVs support high voltage fast charging technology, it is advised to rely on those only when truly needed. Regular use of fast chargers for long durations may drain your battery’s overall health as fast charging tends to produce more heat that can negatively affect your battery’s overall health. Therefore it is advised to rely on regular voltage chargers, especially for daily use.
Electric Components and Motor Maintenance
After the battery pack, the electric motor is the most crucial component of any electric vehicle. While the motor itself requires very little maintenance as compared to combustion engines, it is still a good idea to pay attention to them to enjoy the best performance out of your electric vehicles. Therefore, following the below-mentioned tips can come in handy.
Regular Inspections and Attention
The electric motor of your EV is prone to catching dust, debris, and other kinds of contaminants. Therefore it is essential to regularly clean your motor components as part of routine servicing. It is also important to regularly inspect the motor for any unusual damage. Attention should also be paid to any unusual noise or performance drops. The cooling system is another crucial component that works in unison with the electric motor to provide optimum performance. Therefore it is advised to regularly check for fluid leaks or any unusual dashboard signs that might hint towards the failure of the cooling system.
Good Driving Habits
While it is true that Electric Vehicles offer exhilarating driving dynamics, great torque and impressive acceleration, the way you drive your EV leaves a lasting impact on its overall health and efficiency. Rapid acceleration or deceleration, aggressive braking, and braking while accelerating will potentially reduce the performance of the motor and the battery. Therefore it is always advised to drive an EV in a controlled manner to enjoy maximum battery performance and overall reliability.
Brake and Braking System Maintenance
Another crucial component of an electric vehicle is the brakes and the braking systems. Moreover, since most of the modern-day Electric Vehicles come with regenerative braking, proper maintenance of the brakes and braking system becomes even more important. Even otherwise, EVs come with conventional friction brakes that use brake fluid, rotors, pads, drums, and shoes, etc., much like ICE cars. Therefore it is advised to regularly inspect and check brake pads and discs for any sign of extreme wear and tear. Moreover, since regenerative braking harnesses kinetic energy to slow down an EV, brakes are generally used less often in an electric car, therefore rust is another factor that can lead to untimely degeneration of brake components and should be regularly checked for. It is also advised to regularly change the brake fluid and pay attention to any unusual noises or vibrations that might crop up during braking.
Tyre Maintenance
Tyres are one of the most important components for overall performance and safety in any vehicle. However, in electric vehicles, tyres assume a bigger role in overall performance since EVs offer higher instantaneous torque that can largely affect the overall wear and tear of your wheels. Therefore it is advised to regularly check tyres for excessive wear and tear and rotate tyres at regular intervals to ensure even tread depth across all four wheels, and to avoid early tyre replacement. In addition to tyre rotation, maintaining appropriate wheel alignment and balancing is another important thing to do in order to enjoy sustained performance over time. Moreover, since low tyre pressure generally consumes more battery, it is also important to pay attention to tyre pressure to ensure that optimum tyre pressure is maintained across all wheels at all times. This way you can be assured of long-term reliability and performance.
Timely Servicing and Up-To-Date Software
Last but surely not least, timely servicing is another crucial factor that can determine the overall longevity of your electric vehicle. Much like ICE cars, EVs too need regular servicing to maintain optimum performance. Therefore it is advised to follow your manufacturer’s service schedule.
Another thing that can help you enjoy the best out of your EV is regular software updates. While many Electric Vehicles come with automatic Over-The-Air (OTA) update functionality, it is advised to regularly check for newer software updates. Often ignored, the software is an important EV maintenance factor, as it plays a critical role in managing an EV operation be it optimising charging levels, regulating driving dynamics or controlling onboard features.
The Bottom Line
Owning an electric vehicle is just half the job done. The key to enjoying long-term EV benefits lies in its proper upkeep and maintenance. Be it the battery, electric motor, brakes or software, maintaining each EV component has its advantage and can help you get the best out of your electric vehicle. By keeping in mind crucial maintenance tips, you can be assured of a hassle-free EV ownership experience for years to come.
