The electric vehicle market is gaining ground in all parts of the world. Tesla, which was thought to be the suicidal venture amid powerful combustion engines, came out with a myriad of super-successful products. Many developed countries like Germany, Britain, Poland, Spain, and other nations in the European Union have come with new electric vehicle policies. These policies aim to increase the number of electric vehicles and decrease the combustion engine plying on roads.
This means there are going to be immensely hiked sales of EVs across the globe. If you’re planning to invest in one and bring your electric vehicle home, it’s time to get along with the ways to take care of it. This guide assists those who are going to purchase an EV for the first time and are looking forward to strategies to keep up with its maintenance.
Charge your battery periodically and avoid deep discharge
Generally, EV cars run on lithium-ion batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries. The foremost step in the maintenance of your EV is securing its battery life. The cells tend to lose efficiency with time and need to be recharged regularly. Avoid leaving your vehicle unused and unplugged for long intervals as it will result in deep discharge or even drying of the battery.
EV cars are entirely dependent on their batteries, and the owner must take note of even the slightest changes in performance. Moreover, it is always suggested to take the car for professional servicing instead of experimenting on your own. While at it, you must use the best type 2 tethered cable available in the market while charging your EV at home.
Regular safety testing
Similar to conventional vehicles, EVs also require to be passed through safety testing and regulated standards. This is to ensure that the car is fit for use and does not cause damage to the environment created due to chemical spillage from batteries, etc. Safety tests also include securing EV batteries in case of a car crash and methods to avoid high voltage electric shocks.
EVs are required to maintain a lower center of gravity, which not only enhances ride experience but also reduces the chances of rolling over. Other safety measures include the audibility of the vehicle while running at a low speed. EVs tend to generate more moderate levels of sound, which elevates the chances of accidents in pedestrian areas, and thus, this criterion needs to be considered.
Keep the temperature changes in consideration
With prolonged use, the temperature conditions within the vehicle’s machinery tend to alter. Although you don’t have to fret much during the starting few months, it’s crucial to be mindful of temperature variations subsequently. Noticing an overheating situation after running your vehicle isn’t alarming; however, the risen temperature must be within a permissible limit.
You can get along with your EV manufacturer to know the suitable temperature range so that you can be proactive in case of any unfavorable changes. Since batteries of modern-day EVs are sealed too securely, there shouldn’t be any chances of fire or blast. Nonetheless, it’s advisable not to ignore overly increased temperature values within the car’s environment. A sure shot way to avoid such conditions is to take frequent breaks if you’re onto a long road trip spree. This will not only let you freshen up your body but also give your vehicle ample time to be charged for the remaining journey.
Don’t forget your tires
Tires are not only the most crucial elements of a vehicle but also the most ignored ones. Unlike traditional combustion vehicles, EVs are not used to going to standard garages for machinery repair, which is why chances of your tires getting neglected surge even more.
The foremost choice is the type of tires, depending on the climatic conditions of your regions. You can choose weather-specific tires (winter tires, summer tires) or get along with all-season tires when you want to eradicate most of the hassle. All-season tires, though low on the performance side, are your best bet when it comes to preventing a considerable number of garage visits across the year.
While at it, you must also be attentive towards handpicking a suitable tread pattern that goes hand in hand with the road conditions your EV is going to endure. Tread patterns not only impact the breaking mechanism but also have a say in the overall life of your tires.
Coolant care is necessary
As the whole system of an electric vehicle depends entirely on batteries, it is of absolute importance that you take care of the battery life of your car. One of the significant reasons that an EV retires before its age is due to damaged batteries. To ensure that your car batteries are used to their full efficiency, you need to regulate the heating of the same.
The coolant of your EV system needs to be flushed and replaced at regular intervals, as suggested by the company. This is to prevent overheating and burning out of the electric vehicle.
How you drive your vehicle is important
Apart from all the factors that have been discussed above, your driving style also plays elemental in determining the life span of your EV. Much similar to conventional vehicles, an EV also requires the basics of careful driving to ensure efficiency and longevity.
To make sure that your car isn’t damaged and the efficiency of the ride is maintained, you need to avoid reckless driving, hard brakes or acceleration, and careless bumping into corners, etc.