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Electric car maintenance & servicing

Maintaining and servicing electric vehicles is different from fuel cars. It's also simpler and more cost effective

Electric car maintenance costs compared to combustion engines

There are three main areas that make EV maintenance simpler and cheaper than traditional cars. EVs have fewer parts and use different breaking method meaning there's less that actually need to be looked at. Servicing also tends to cost less due to the nature of their technology. 

Graphic showing an electric car motor

1. Fewer parts

A regular car can contain hundreds of working parts which means there’s lots that can go wrong and parts that need replacing over time.

An electric car, in comparison, has a lot less to wear out, so maintenance costs can be as much as 50% less.

Graphic showing electric car regenerative braking

2. Regenerative braking

All electric cars have some form of regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor to slow the vehicle whilst putting some electricity back into the battery.

Braking becomes more efficient, placing less wear and tear on the brakes. Brake disks and pads still need maintaining but this needs to be done less often, saving you money.

Graphic of a piggie bank to indicate electric car maintenance savings

3. Cost efficiency

Research shows that an electric car costs at least 30% less to service and maintain than a traditional car (depending on the car, of course). 

One thing that is still comparable between traditional and electric vehicles, is tyre wear. Tyres will need to be changed regularly.

What maintenance does an electric car need?

An electric car needs to be serviced as often as any car. The service will include:

  • Tyre wear and tear & tyre pressure check
  • Windscreen wiper replacement
  • Brake fluid change
  • MOT but with no emissions test and with fewer parts to test, repairs could be minimal
Graphic showing an electric car chassis battery base

EV maintenance and leasing packages

With the rise of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) car financing, leasing an electric car is becoming more popular. 

Most lease companies offer a service and maintenance package for EVs. This includes our leasing partner DriveElectric who offer a package which covers servicing and tyres.

Make sure to ask for your leasing deal to include maintenance in the monthly cost before ordering

vauxhall corsa-e in orange driving

Lease a brand new electric car

Drive a brand new zero-emissions EV with an affordable monthly rental. You'll also have no vehicle tax, low maintenance costs, and a choice of free parking in many convenient locations. 

Lease an EV

Electric car battery maintenance

electric car lithium ion battery

The good news is that this isn't the case. Contrary to common belief, car batteries use different technology than mobiles or laptops. That, together with the EVs' battery management systems, ensures the batteries have a long life. 

The great news is that most electric car models now come with a battery guarantee of around 100,000 miles. That's around 12 years for an average driver. 

Electric vehicle breakdowns

Most EV manufacturers offer a roadside assistance package with your car or you can include it in your leasing package. Recovery services also now offer breakdown cover designed especially for electric cars, while the RAC is equipping some of its vans with mobile recharging points capable of topping up stranded EVs.

If you need assistance because you've run out of charge, it won't normally be possible to get your EV moving again, so don't put yourself at risk by trying to get a friend to tow it - leave it to the professionals. Even if you're not a member, major breakdown services including the AA, RAC and Green Flag will come to rescue you.

Before help arrives, check your EV handbook for any restrictions on towing, which may damage the car's systems. While some EVs can be towed, as long as their drive wheels are kept off the ground, others can only be moved on a flat-bed truck. If you're not sure, insist on a flat-bed - it avoids the risk of major damage to your car.

Man with white car broken down requiring maintenance

Learn more about maintaining & driving electric cars

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How do electric cars work?

Find out exactly how EVs work and how they differ from fuel cars. 

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EV charging options: when, where & how

Learn about all the different options for charging your electric car on the go and at home.

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Running costs of an electric car

Find out what it costs to buy and run an electric car.

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