Never worry about servicing your electric car ever again. No oil and no spark plugs – could it get any better? Is it cheaper than servicing a conventional petrol or diesel car?
Find out what servicing an electric car really involves here.
Packed with cutting-edge technology, it’s no surprise that electric car sales have increased significantly over recent years. As more drivers make the switch, understanding how to maintain an electric vehicle has become increasingly important.
Unlike traditional combustion-engine vehicles, electric cars have fewer moving parts. This generally means less maintenance and potentially lower servicing costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.
If you’re interested in keeping ownership costs under control, you may also find it useful to understand how vehicle condition affects resale value in our valuation guidance hub.
Electric car servicing costs
Let’s start with the obvious. Powertrain maintenance should generally cost less for an electric vehicle because there are fewer components requiring regular servicing or replacement.
If you’re taking your electric car in for a routine service, the following checks and maintenance items are commonly included:
- Cabin air filter (typically every two years)
- High-efficiency particulate air filter (typically every three years)
- Brake fluid testing (typically every two years)
- Air conditioning servicing (every two to six years depending on manufacturer recommendations)
- Brake caliper inspection and maintenance (often annually)
One benefit of electric vehicles is that regenerative braking can reduce wear on brake components, helping brake pads and discs last longer than they often would on a conventional vehicle.
For more information about looking after your vehicle and reducing long-term ownership costs, see:
👉 How to change your engine oil
Electric car maintenance essentials
Some of the most important maintenance items for electric vehicles include:
- Tyres
- Brakes
- Lights
- Windscreen wipers
- Wheel alignment and tracking
- Suspension components
- Cabin filtration systems
Unlike petrol and diesel vehicles, electric cars do not require routine engine oil changes, oil filters, cambelts, or water pump replacements.
This simplified maintenance schedule is one of the major attractions of electric vehicle ownership.
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What about electric car batteries?
The battery pack is often the component owners worry about most, but modern EV batteries are designed to last for many years.
Battery systems contain no traditional engine moving parts. Instead, technicians use specialist diagnostic equipment to assess battery health and identify any individual cells that may not be performing correctly.
Most manufacturers provide substantial battery warranties, often covering a significant percentage of battery capacity retention over several years and thousands of miles.
Compared with a conventional engine that contains hundreds of moving parts, electric powertrains are generally much simpler and require less ongoing maintenance.
That said, electric vehicles still require regular inspections and servicing to ensure all safety-critical systems remain in good working order.
Where should you get an electric car serviced?
The first option many owners consider is an authorised manufacturer service centre. These facilities typically have specialist tools, training, and diagnostic equipment specifically designed for electric vehicles.
As electric cars become increasingly common, more independent garages are also investing in EV servicing qualifications and equipment. This means owners should have a wider choice of service providers available in the coming years.
Before booking a service, it’s worth checking that the garage has technicians trained to work safely on high-voltage electric vehicle systems.
Thinking about upgrading to an electric car?
If you’re considering making the switch to an electric vehicle, understanding the value of your current car is a useful first step.
Get a free valuation today using our free online valuation tool.
With Jamjar, you can quickly discover what your car could be worth and explore your options before moving to your next vehicle.