What you need to know about electric vehicle maintenance
January 03, 2025
Electric vehicles (EVs) are beginning to take center stage in today’s commercial fleet industry. With growing concerns about sustainability, rising fuel prices, and tougher greenhouse gas emissions regulations, more and more fleets are turning to EVs.
For fleet operations, this begs an obvious question – how does electric vehicle maintenance stack up against maintenance involving traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles?
Advantages of electric vehicle maintenance
- Lower overall maintenance costs
One of the greatest perks of having EVs in your fleet is how much you save on maintenance compared to traditional gas-powered cars. Those savings will come from the following factors:
- Fewer moving parts, fewer headaches – EVs are brilliantly simple when it comes to mechanics. They don’t have complicated components like engines, fuel pumps, or exhaust systems, which can be pricey and time-consuming to repair. With fewer moving parts, there’s simply less that can go wrong.
- No more oil changes – Forget about routine oil changes or dealing with spark plugs and transmission repairs. EVs don’t use traditional engine fluids, which means you can cross those recurring tasks (and expenses) off your list for good. Over time, this adds up to significant savings—not just in money, but in downtime as well.
- Regenerative braking: a win-win – EVs come with regenerative braking systems, which can be a game-changer. When the brake is applied, the car captures some of the kinetic energy and turns it back into electricity to recharge the battery. Not only does this boost energy efficiency, but it also extends the life of your brakes. Brake pads and rotors wear out much more slowly, saving you on replacement costs. It’s like your EVs are working smarter, not harder, and your budget has a little more breathing room.
- Comprehensive battery warranties
Battery health is a top concern for EV owners. Accordingly, most manufacturers address this with impressive, long-term warranties. This is important because battery degradation can occur faster in some EVs than others, depending on various factors. For example, variables such as:- How often are you driving?
- What type of terrain are you driving through?
- What charging level (2 or 3) are you using?
- Simplified cooling systems
Electric vehicles rely on less complex cooling systems compared to ICE cars, which need to manage the heat from combustion engines. EV cooling systems are designed specifically to regulate battery temperatures and are generally simpler in design. This simplicity reduces the chances of leaks, overheating, or other system failures, which can be expensive to repair in traditional vehicles. As a result, EV owners experience fewer issues with cooling-related maintenance, further lowering ownership costs.
- Consistent servicing schedules
Regular servicing for EVs is far more predictable and manageable than for ICE vehicles. With fewer components that require frequent attention—such as exhaust systems, fuel injectors, or timing belts—maintenance schedules are simpler and less frequent. EV servicing typically revolves around periodic checks of the battery, electric motor, and software updates, making the process straightforward and hassle-free. This consistent and minimal approach to maintenance helps drivers plan better and benefit from more seamless operations.
Disadvantages of electric vehicle maintenance
For all the advantages EVs offer when it comes to fleet maintenance, there are some other factors that need to be considered. These include:
- Higher repair costs for certain components
EVs are packed with advanced technology, but that can mean higher repair costs compared to traditional gas-powered cars. For example, if your EV battery pack gets damaged, it could cost thousands of dollars. These batteries are pricey to make and require experts to handle and install them. Even if you need something small like a specific battery module, it might take a while to track it down—especially if you’re in an area where EV adoption is still growing. These factors can even lead to higher insurance premiums for EVs.
- Longer wait times for repairs
Fixing an EV usually takes longer than repairing a standard gas-powered car. Why?
Right now, there aren’t as many repair shops equipped to handle EVs as there are for ICE vehicles. Not all repair shops have trained technicians or the right tools for the job. On top of that, parts for EVs aren’t always easy to come by, so you might end up waiting for replacement parts to arrive. All this means more vehicle downtime.
- Faster tire wear
EVs tend to wear out their tires faster than ICE cars because they’re heavier (thanks to those big battery packs), and their instant torque puts more stress on the tires. That means EVs may need their tires replaced more often, which can be an unexpected expense. They often require special tires designed to handle the extra weight, which can be more expensive than standard ones.
Key considerations for EV fleet management
Fleet leaders face a critical decision when choosing between integrating EVs or sticking with ICE vehicles. This decision involves carefully weighing several key factors.
- Maintenance costs
- Sustainability targets
- Downtime
- Access to repairs
- Parts availability
You’ll want to carefully evaluate your operational priorities when considering all your options. What roles do long-term cost savings, vehicle uptime, and sustainability goals play in driving the decision?
At Element, our team of trusted advisors can walk you through these considerations and help you determine which path best fits your specific needs. So, when you’re ready to explore how EV maintenance will impact your fleet, be sure to reach out – we’re here to help!
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