Do Electric Cars Need Servicing? Electric Car Maintenance

Air conditioning blowing hot and cold? Touchscreen freezing? Windscreen wipers grating against the window screen? Your car might need servicing.

Whether it’s a petrol, diesel, hybrid car, or electric vehicle (EV), all cars require servicing to maintain optimal condition and avoid negative outcomes. Broken parts, lacklustre driving, or even a breakdown could be around the corner for you otherwise.

But is there anything different about electric car servicing? Do electric vehicle services cost more or less?

Today, we’re shedding light on electric cars and servicing.

How often do electric cars need servicing?

You can usually tell when your EV needs servicing. Perhaps things aren’t running as smoothly. Strange smells. Random noises. You get the gist.

Of course, while EV MOTs are a legal requirement, services aren’t. But regular services keep everything in tip-top condition.

What’s more, it’s all good news for electric car owners. Typically, electric cars don’t need servicing on the same level as petrol and diesel cars. For example, a Ford Fiesta requires servicing every 10,000 miles, whereas a Renault Zoe, Twizy, and Fluence are serviced every 18,000 miles.

For a guaranteed answer to when you should service your EV, check with your car manufacturer’s handbook for a specific, tailored guideline and a precise servicing schedule. Tesla, for example, lists what parts should be serviced and when.

Can’t find your handbook? As a general rule of thumb, here are the different services and the recommended service intervals:

• Interim service (6 months) – a basic servicing covering small checks like windscreen wiper blades and lights.
• Full service (12 months) – a comprehensive review of key components.
• Major service (24 months) – a full top-to-bottom check of your car, peeking at all the nooks and crannies.

Where can I get my EV serviced?

Electric cars are here to stay. The benefits of EVs have already garnered over 1,480,000 electric cars in the UK.

With this in mind, expect to receive a service wherever you usually take your petrol cars. With over 42,000 Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair workers, you’ll surely find somewhere to service your electric car.

Here’s where you can usually get an electric car serviced:

• Manufacturer service centres: Think Tesla, Nissan, BMW, and other leading car manufacturers. Often, car manufacturers have official service centres with trained specialists for tailored car servicing.
• Car dealerships: Service packages and maintenance plans are available when you purchase your electric car directly from car dealerships. Check with your car dealership to find out where you can get your EV service and whether it’s inclusive.
• Local garages: Your local mechanic may be able to provide your electric car service. That said, some smaller garages may occasionally not understand the best practices regarding the intricacies of an electric car or have the correct components readily available if something is wrong. Double-check before you park outside. A quick search for ‘electric car services near me’ or an electric car mechanic will bring up your available locals.
• Automotive retailers: Trusted retailers like Halfords often provide fixes and servicing for cars and electric cars. If you’re searching for a quick, basic servicing, these retailers could be your best bet.
• Repair and maintenance servicing centres: Companies like Kwik Fit provide repair and maintenance services for EVs. These are quick and easy ways to give your EV a quick once over.
• Car subscription & leasing companies: If your EV is leased or part of a subscription, the package usually includes servicing. Imagine it as an all-inclusive holiday package or phone contract.

How much does it cost to service an electric car?

There isn’t a black-and-white answer. Electric car service costs vary—exactly the same as petrol and diesel cars.

Which service option you choose, the size and age of the car, and replacement parts—are just a few factors that impact the cost of servicing.

With this in mind, many ask – are electric cars cheaper to service? The answer? Typically, yes.

EV drive trains are less complicated, and certain checks don’t need to be performed due to the absence of certain parts. No oil, spark plugs or fuel filters – to give you an idea. In turn, electric car services are cheaper. In fact, a study found that service and maintenance costs are 23% lower for electric cars than petrol vehicles.

So, not only are EV running costs cheaper, but maintenance costs are, too. Now that’s smart driving.

Overall, though, car services can cost between £170 and £395 – excluding any replacement part costs. So, enter the garage with that price ballpark in mind.

 What does an electric car service involve?

An internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle has hundreds of components working together to keep it moving —belts, pistons, crankshafts, and all sorts are stashed away. An EV? The complete opposite.

As mentioned above, electric cars have fewer parts. Of course, you’ve got the essentials: an electric motor, a battery, and a few other key components—but mechanically, electric cars are much simpler. With this in mind, an electric car service tends to be slightly shorter.

Typically, an electric car service includes reviewing the following:

• Brakes: EVs use regenerative braking, meaning brake pads and discs wear out more slowly than petrol cars. Still, electric car mechanics need to inspect them regularly for wear and tear.
• Tyres: Tyre condition, pressure, and tread depth (the legal minimum is 1.6mm) must be checked. Regularly, if you can, as the heavier weight of an EV can increase wear and tear. This can be done yourself, but it’s usually part of an EV service. Plus, some tyres are EV-specific tyres. While they are similar to petrol tyres, they offer added benefits which need to be checked for optimal performance.
• Suspension: Springs and shocks need to be checked due to the heavier weight.
• Battery: Don’t stress about your EV battery. While your EV battery will naturally degrade over time – that’s just EV life. And there are ways to protect your battery. Plus, in the rare instance of something wrong with your battery, EV batteries come with an 8-year warranty set by the government.
• Coolant and fluids: Unlike petrol cars, EVs skip engine oil changes. Yet, the cooling system is essential, actively regulating battery temperature to keep it optimal. Regular coolant checks and top-ups are therefore necessary to keep performance up and temperature down. Explore EV fluids in detail.
• Brake fluid
• Air filter
• Windscreen wipers
• Lights
• Seat belt inspection

Although you personally inspect areas like lights or tyres, trust a professional is required for critical electrical parts where high voltage is involved.

Summary:

• While MOTs are legally required, regular servicing is optional. We highly recommended regular electric car servicing to keep your EV in the best condition.
• Check your manufacturer’s handbook for a specific electric car servicing schedule.
• EV servicing costs vary depending on car type, age, required service, and more. But EVs are usually cheaper to service due to the fewer moving parts – around 23% less than petrol cars.

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