Electric Vehicle Repair Different Than Regular Cars
In the early 1960s, and again in the mid-1980s, there was a cartoon, “The Jetsons”. As you may remember in that cartoon, there are many that weren’t alive during those years, and they missed the possibility of flying cars! What they are familiar with or have heard about is the electric vehicle. Repairs of these newer types of cars are much different than what flying car repairs would have, and what the ‘old style’ combustion engine cars need.
Abbreviated as EVs today, electric vehicles made up almost 6% of all new car sales. When you consider that there were a collective 14 million new vehicles sold, six percent of that number is a lot of vehicles. As more EV models are introduced into the mainstream by manufacturers, we can expect to see more of them on the road. And we can expect more electric vehicle repair needs too.
What are the most common repairs needed by electric vehicles?
So, as electric cars become more popular on the roadways, so will the electric car repairs. They may be considered to be more sophisticated than traditional combustion engine cars, but that new technology can be complicated. This means today’s mechanics and technicians need to refresh their training.
But for now, with the EV-trained mechanics and technicians that are in the field today, the following are the most common issues they are seeing in regard to electric vehicle repairs today:
- Brake Failure
This isn’t a good thing no matter how a car is powered. The brakes on an electric car are a regenerative brake system that uses kinetic energy. Regenerative brakes are more durable than traditional brake pads, but they fail too and become warped as the driver tends to solely rely on them. If they aren’t functioning right, as the driver decelerates instead of depending on the brake system, it places them and their passengers in danger. However, the battery can be the cause of the brakes on an EV not working properly too. Only a trained mechanic or engineer can determine the problem and make the proper electric vehicle repair.
- Replacing the Electric Battery
The average lifespan of an EV car battery is between 10 and 15 years or up to 10,000 miles. Once an EV battery begins to wear out or become extensively overheated, it must be replaced. Because this is an electric vehicle, the battery must be in top-notch condition. Yes, they can be jumped, but that drains the ‘juice’ inside the batter, and repeated jump-starting will deplete the juice, requiring a new battery. The bad news about electric vehicle repairs, the battery is the most expensive repair you’ll have with your EV. This only strengthens the advice to have your EV regularly inspected by a trusted mechanic or technician for diagnosing the potential problem and making whatever electric car repair is needed.
This brings us to the question “How often should electric vehicle batteries be replaced?” While EV batteries are expensive, most EV batteries have a lifespan between 15 and 20 years before a replacement is needed.
- Battery Cables
Just as the battery is essential to your EV, the battery cables are essential to the battery. They are vulnerable to the weather and can erode over time. Because of this, they need to be inspected on a regular schedule to check for wear and tear that can affect the EV vehicle’s overall performance.
If the battery cables in your EV have any of the following, schedule an appointment for authorized electric vehicle repair:
- The lights are dim.
- The engine is slow to crank.
- The engine won’t stay running.
- There is only a clicking sound and the car won’t start.
Your mechanic will make a close inspection, checking for brittle, decomposing insulation, and green or white powdery substance around the cables. This will lead them to check the overall battery health and determine if your electric car repair will require new cables and/or a new battery.
- Fluid Refill
No more trips to the gas pumps don’t mean your EV doesn’t have other fluids to have checked. This includes brake fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. If you take your EV to your mechanic for any issue, it is recommended to request they check all the fluids. This can minimize the chances that you’ll be back for electric vehicle repairs later.
- Operating System
Today’s new cars have computers on board and EVs rely a lot more on a computer which creates unique issues with their operating system. There are several types of issues, but the most common is unresponsiveness to the touch and dead pixels. Only qualified mechanics or technicians should attempt any electric vehicle repairs when it comes to the operating system.
How much does it cost to repair an electric vehicle?
The cost of electric vehicle repairs can’t be guessed because it is still a new industry. While owning an EV is said to be less expensive than owning a gas-fueled vehicle. But, they still have the basic wear-and-tear of lights, tires, and windshield wiper blades. ,
If an EV is damaged in a wreck, however, it typically requires the battery to be replaced, as well as the damaged body parts. As we stated earlier, the battery on an EV is one of the most expensive parts.
In Closing
If you purchase an EV, what should you do if you keep having issues? While it is under warranty with the dealership, return the car to the dealership with a list of issues. If having problems after the warranty has expired, take the car to a mechanic like those at European Plus that is trained in electric vehicle repair in Hopewell and Pennington, NJ. Schedule a service appointment today by calling 609-737-7226.