Do Electric Cars Break Down More?

As electric cars continue to grow in popularity, many people have started to question what exactly makes them better than fossil fuel-powered vehicles. One of the most common concerns of individuals is related to their maintenance; do they break down more than conventional cars? Well, let’s dig deep! 

Electric cars break down less frequently than traditional vehicles as they don’t require spark plug replacements and oil changes. Since EVs have fewer components than conventional vehicles, their chances of breaking down are reduced along with the trips to the service station for vehicle checkups.

Nevertheless, not taking care of your EV, such as frequently using the thermal system or speeding your car, can sometimes cause your vehicle to break down. Plus, EVs do require regular maintenance, just like a regular car. In this guide, we’ll talk about how frequently an EV breaks down and how you can prevent that from happening.

How Often Do EVs Break Down?

The most common cause of an EV breaking down is its battery pack. Generally, EV batteries can last between 10-20 years, depending on how you take care of them. However, your EV’s speed and range tend to decrease (by approximately 40%) once the battery is closing in on its lifetime, which can cause it to break down more frequently. 

With that said EV manufacturers have already started working on eliminating this drawback and are beginning to develop cars with more durable batteries. For example, Lucid Motors recently announced the release of their top-of-the-line EV known as Lucid Air, which has an awe-inspiring range of 520 miles on a single full charge.

To get the most out of your current EV’s battery, however, you’ll need to adjust your driving style. The smoother your drive, the longer your battery will last. While driving an EV, you can also release your foot from the accelerator or press the brake pad to activate regenerative braking.

Frequent use of regenerative braking increases the range of your electric car and prevents the rotors and brake pads from wearing out early. 

Maintenance Cost Of EVs

Sure, EVs are much more expensive than traditional vehicles; however, these vehicles end up being pretty cost-efficient in the long run. This is due to their cheaper maintenance and service costs as compared to conventional rides. 

EVs have far fewer components than regular cars that require frequent gear and engine lubrication, replacement of worn-out parts, and services of other mechanical equipment. 

As a result, the possibility of wear and tear of EV components is reduced, saving a lot of money as you don’t have to constantly take the vehicle to the service station for maintenance checks.  

According to research, EV maintenance demands only $0.031 per mile during the vehicle’s lifetime. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles are also predicted to cost around $0.030 per mile. In comparison, your traditional combustion engine vehicles require you to spend an astonishing $0.60 per mile on maintenance costs throughout their lifetime!  

Tips On Maintaining Important EV Components

Despite being incredibly durable, whatever few components an EV has, they do wear out ultimately. Therefore, if you own an electric vehicle, you’ll still need to maintain its tires, look after the battery’s health, and solve software glitches beforehand.

Read on more to find out some essential tips to keep your EV in top shape. 

Maintain The Motor

Although your EV’s electric motor does not need to be serviced on a regular basis, it’s still a good practice to follow the service plan recommended by your EV manufacturer. Ideally, you should service your electric vehicle’s motor as frequently as a conventional car.

We also advise working with a mechanic who is familiar with EVs and their engines since you don’t want your expensive ride to fall into the wrong hands. 

Take Care Of The Tires

Driving fast is risky, not just for your safety but also for your EV’s tires and their lifetime. Driving at a slower speed will keep you from slamming on the brakes too often, which can degrade the brake pads and the tire quality.

It’s also essential to constantly look for uneven tire tread wear. Replace worn-out tires as soon as possible and follow your EV manufacturer’s tire rotation instructions. To learn more about how to judge your tire’s condition, you can visit here. 

It’s been tested that by keeping your tires in top shape, you’ll be able to conserve your electric vehicle’s energy and get more mileage in a single charge. 

Check Up On The Battery 

An EV’s battery is probably one of its most essential components, and preserving it is of the utmost importance.

To prevent the battery from deteriorating, avoid keeping your electric car in severely hot or cold conditions. The thermal system installed on your EV ends up harming the battery life when your vehicle is exposed to excessively high or low temperatures. 

Once the temperature exceeds 40°C, there is a permanent reduction in your EV’s battery life. Although this reduction in battery health is generally minor and unnoticeable, storing the EV in a shaded area away from the sun and extreme heat is still a good practice.

Limiting the usage of rapid chargers also helps increase the battery’s life. This is mainly because DC fast chargers power a large amount of current into your car’s battery in a short period, which degrades your car’s battery quicker than using it with a normal charger. 

FAQs

Q) How Often Should I Service My EV?

An EV may need service twice a year for wheel rotations and the overall mechanical system. These servicing checks will extend the life of your battery. You may also need to replace an EV’s battery that has been in use for over ten years.

Q) What Is The Thermal Management System Of An EV?

The thermal management system (TMS) is responsible for maintaining an EV’s critical parts, like the battery pack and electric motor, operating at a steady temperature. This feature makes a huge impact on an EV’s driveability.

Q) What Happens If Water Gets Inside My EV’s Electrical System?

Once water gets inside your EV’s electrical components, the EV’s circuit breaks trip, and the vehicle powers off. 

Conclusion

The bottom line is that electric vehicles break down far less frequently than their fossil fuel-powered counterparts. This is due to the fewer components present in an electric vehicle that are built to last, saving you a ton of money on maintenance and repairs in the long run!