There are differences in the maintenance requirements for BEVs, PHEVs and ICEVs.
Battery electric vehicles
Typically, BEVs require less maintenance than ICEVs and PHEVs because:
- they have fewer moving parts
- their electrical components require minimal servicing
- there are less fluids
- they have regenerative braking
Some research suggests that one could save up to 90% of the maintenance and operational costs when compared to a petrol or diesel car. [1]
BEVs consist of electrical components and motors, rather than a mechanical engine. While BEVs still require regular maintenance of components common to all vehicles, such as tyres and windscreen wipers, the servicing of the electrical components is often minimal, inexpensive and infrequent.
BEVs contain electrical software, which may be updated remotely, similar to on a phone or computer. These remote software updates include diagnostics, which may reduce the number of service visits required. Some electric vehicle manufacturers, such as Tesla, do not have a required maintenance schedule, instead recommending servicing ‘as
needed.’ [2]
An EV’s regenerative braking means that brake systems typically last longer than in ICEVs. Electric vehicle batteries also have long service lives manufacturers, such as Nissan, Renault, Hyundai and Tesla, provide warranties of 8 years on the vehicle battery.[3]
Plug-in Hybrids
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles require maintenance for both the electric drive and the internal combustion engine. This means that the vehicle will require maintenance as per car manufacturers recommendations for the vehicle’s mechanical components. The electrical components require servicing, but as mentioned previously, this is often minimal, inexpensive and infrequent.
