How to Properly Maintain an Electric Vehicle

The cost of a new electric vehicle (EV) has been steadily dropping over the years; many are now very competitive with gas-powered vehicles. With the ever-lower purchase price of an electric vehicle and lower fuel and maintenance costs, it is now very affordable to buy and operate a Chevy EV. At the very least, it is definitely something that is worth looking into. Years ago, electric vehicles were niche products rarely seen on the road and often were the source of myths and stigma. But recently we have seen increased popularity and sales of electric vehicles. From the factory to the streets and highways, EVs emit a fraction of global warming pollutants as gas-powered vehicles and are already displacing millions of gallons of oil globally on a daily basis. But if you do own an electric vehicle, it is important to keep it properly maintained. Here are a few tips on maintaining a Chevy EV.

EV Maintenance isn’t as Expensive as You Think

Contrary to what you may have read or heard, maintaining your Chevy EV is not expensive. The truth of the matter is that it is far less complicated and expensive to maintain than a gasoline engine. You see, a gasoline engine contains hundreds of moving parts and other components, while an electric engine contains far fewer parts, around 20 to be more precise. Better still, the parts and components of an electric engine don’t wear out as quickly as parts and components in gas engines, and they are far easier to replace.

Gas engines have many parts that rub against each other, which causes them to wear down over time; the parts in electric engines don’t rub against each other and will last a long time. But while there are fewer parts and components in an electric engine, they still need to be serviced on a regular basis to ensure your electric car runs at peak performance level and gives you years of reliable service.

How Do EVs Work?

There is a very simple concept behind electric-powered vehicles; electricity is stored in a battery pack and used to power the car. Since the EV relies on electricity to move, you will need to plug it in to charge it, just like your phone. And just like your phone, you don’t need to go anywhere special to charge it. Chevy EV can be easily plugged in at home at left to recharge overnight. But as you all know, there are times when you will travel a long distance and need ways to recharge your Chevy EV.

Thanks to the fact that electric cars are becoming increasingly more popular, charging stations are no longer a rare sight. All across the nation, charging points are popping up everywhere. There are over 26,000 charging stations in the United States, and that number grows exponentially every year. In addition, the battery packs in electric cars are getting better, and battery ranges are getting longer, which means you can drive farther on a full charge. The 2021 Chevy Bolt EV and 2021 Chevy Bolt EUV offer over 250 miles of range on a single charge, giving you plenty of range for commuting and road trips.

EV Battery Life

Gas-powered cars are equipped with lead-acid batteries, but electric cars utilize lithium-ion battery packs. This is the same type of battery you have in your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. There are a few benefits of lithium-ion battery packs; for example, they tend to hold their charge longer, even when they are not being used. They also provide a much greater energy density, which means that they store far more electricity for the same amount of weight. Trying to get hundreds of miles of range out of lead-acid batteries would result in your EV being the size of an eighteen-wheeler.

Every Chevy EV sold in the United States comes with a battery warranty that lasts for at least eight years or up to 100,000 miles. It is important to remember that every battery slowly loses capacity over time, but in a Chevy EV, this loss is so small that the battery pack will last longer than many gasoline engines. The is because Chevy uses technologies like liquid-cooled battery packs and advanced battery-monitoring software to ensure that its EVs do not overheat or overcharge the batteries. Because of this detailed engineering, you can safely treat your Chevy EV the same way that you would treat any other Chevy and expect it to last for a long time.

Basic Maintenance Rules for EVs

Just because you own an EV, it doesn’t mean that you should ignore basic car maintenance rules. Since you do drive an electric vehicle, you don’t have to worry about oil changes or changing out the spark plugs, but there are other things that need to be checked. For example, you still need to have your tires checked for proper air pressure and have them rotated just like you would on a gas-powered vehicle.

If you own an EV, you also still need to have your brakes inspected regularly. However, Chevy EVs have regenerative braking systems; they use motor resistance to slow the vehicle down and send the recaptured energy back into the battery pack. This type of braking system is easier on the brake pads, and they should last longer than the pads on gas-powered cars. Still, the brake pads will still wear down over time, so it is important to have them checked and replaced as necessary.

Your electric car has fewer fluids than its gas-powered brothers, but they still need to be checked and topped-off as necessary. This means you need to keep tabs on the windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, and coolant. Check your owner’s manual and get a coolant system flush when recommended. Overall, EV maintenance is cheaper and covers fewer items, but it still needs to be performed regularly.

Where to Get Your EV Serviced

When it is time for maintenance, your Chevy EV should be taken to your authorized Chevy dealership service center. You can count on your dealership service center to provide the best maintenance for all vehicle types, but it is particularly important to visit them if you own an EV. Very few private mechanics are properly trained or equipped to work on EV, and you are taking a risk relying on a local garage to maintain your electric car. It just makes more sense to have the professionals at your dealership look after your Chevy EV.

At Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick, you will be sure of getting the service you need. Our team of friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced staff works together to ensure you enjoy the ultimate Chevy experience. We are not here to simply meet your expectations; rather, we are here to exceed your expectations. And we do this by delivering the best possible service. Dan Cummins is also your premier destination for parts, tires, and accessories. Indeed, we are your one-stop-shop for anything that has to do with Chevy EVs and Chevy cars, trucks, and SUVs in general. If you have been considering an EV or looking for a place to maintain your current EV, don’t hesitate – head on over to Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick and see what we can offer.

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