EV Maintenance: What Changes and What Doesn't

Electric cars remove a lot of routine maintenance — no oil, no spark plugs, no exhaust, no clutch. But "less maintenance" isn't "none", and a couple of things need more attention than in a petrol car.

Battery habits matter most

The battery is by far the most expensive component, and how you charge it affects how long it lasts:

• For daily use, keep the charge roughly between 20% and 80%
• Only charge to 100% when you actually need the full range
• Use DC fast charging when travelling, not as your everyday habit — heat is what ages cells
• Avoid leaving the car at very low charge for weeks

Brakes wear less, but rust more

Regenerative braking means the friction brakes do far less work, so pads can last years. The catch is that lightly-used discs corrode. Occasional firmer braking helps clean them, and the calipers still need periodic servicing.

Tyres wear faster

EVs are heavy and deliver torque instantly, which is hard on tyres. Rotate them more often than you would on a petrol car and keep pressures exactly to spec — under-inflation costs you noticeable range.

Still on the list

Cabin air filter, brake fluid, coolant for the battery thermal system, suspension and wipers all remain ordinary service items. And software updates increasingly count as maintenance too.