Electric cars are constructed out of fewer moving parts which means that they are less likely going to suffer from premature wear and tear. This means that electric cars should be able to last a long time without needing any comprehensive work done on the engine and the rest of the powertrain.
Suspension-wise the differences between EVs and ICE cars are minimal with the exception of added weight EVs tend to carry. All in all, electric cars need less maintenance when compared to ICE cars but how difficult a potential repair job might be highly depends on what has gone wrong.
Because EVs and ICE cars have many similar parts, they should be equally as easy to repair. However, if a problem arises from a faulty electric system or a battery issue, EVs are indeed much more difficult to repair because these technologies have not yet been thoroughly tested on a mass consumer level.
As such, there are fewer qualified mechanics and technicians that can even work with these sorts of issues which means that you will have to take your car to a dealer. At the end of the day, the most important factor when it comes to how difficult an EV is to fix depends on what has gone wrong with it.
Electric cars maintenance and service
Electric cars are still the new kids on the block which means that not everyone is aware of how they work and how much maintenance they require. As previously mentioned, EVs have fewer moving parts which mean that mechanical wear and tear is not nearly as present as it is in a regular car.
Electric motors are both smaller and able to operate fully without needing to reach an optimum temperature level. They derive the energy from a large high-voltage lithium-ion battery which is usually stored underneath the passenger compartment.
EVs don’t require any motor oil because there is little friction between electric motor moving parts. All of this means that the electric motor does not create too much heat nor that it operates as dirty as a combustion engine does.
Servicing an EV in its early stages is crucial if you want to maintain all the optimal characteristics of your EV. As such, most EVs visit the service shop more frequently when compared to an ICE car, but that’s also because an average EV owner is more concentrated on maintaining the car in the first place.
Internal combustion engine cars maintenance and service
We are all relatively aware of what it takes to drive and own an ICE car because ICE cars have been around for quite some time now. A combustion engine creates both heat and harmful emissions while running which means that this requires a solution.
The added heat is mostly taken care of by the engine oil and the coolant which both need replacing from time to time. EVs do require coolant, but they don’t require engine oil. Furthermore, a combustion engine is inherently more prone to premature wear and tear because the friction between the moving parts is intense.
Combustion cars also have lots of systems that are intended to take care of all the harmful pollutants that leave the exhaust. Catalytic converters, particulate filters, special compounds mixed with fuel are all prone to causing issues in ICE cars and some of them are costly to repair.
ICE cars also have lots of components that need servicing and maintaining regularly, but the difference here is that there are more of these in an ICE than in an EV.
EV battery problems
The biggest potential issue with an EV is the battery because EV batteries are not designed to last a lifetime. Because they degrade over time they need replacing every 10-20 years which could be a dealbreaker as batteries still tend to cost more than $132 per kWh.
This means that a brand new 83kWh battery for the Tesla Model 3 should cost more than $10,000. However, even getting the battery might be a hassle because they are in high demand and you can’t just visit a local auto shop to get one.
Labor costs associated with replacing the battery are extremely high as well and they can even creep up to $1,000 with all the necessary miscellaneous parts needed. All in all, owning an EV under warranty is a good thing and should enable you to enjoy your EV to the fullest.
However, only time will tell how difficult and stressful EVs can get after a few decades of use or a few hundred thousand miles on the clock.
FAQ Section
Why should I buy an EV?
If you are following the current trends in the automotive industry, you will realize that the EV has become the most relevant topic within the entire industry. As such, if you want to experience what the future of the automotive industry will look like, be sure to consider an EV as your next purchase.
Given the fact that more than 56% of Americans are contemplating buying either hybrids or EVs as their next car purchase, we are likely going to see huge improvements to the existing charging infrastructure. If you can fully utilize the EV platform and you don’t mind the added compromises, you should buy one.
Why I should not buy an EV?
EVs are only as good as is your ability to charge them. If you don’t possess a wall charger or you even don’t have access to a charging outlet, it’s better to skip buying an EV for now. The only logical way of owning an EV care-free is to charge it at your home during nighttime.
If you also can’t charge your car using the existing charging infrastructure in your area, you should definitely skip buying an EV for now.
Are EVs better than ICE cars?
No, not just yet, but this could change in the upcoming years. Firstly, you get more for your money with an ICE car because EVs are still way too expensive for mass application. Secondly, EVs simply don’t offer the same level of convenience during longer journeys.
Thirdly, most cities cant support a mass transition towards EV because they both lack electricity and charging stations. Finally, ICE cars have been around for a long time which means that we are all fully aware of what it takes to own an ICE car.
