Yes, electric vehicles still need maintenance

No doubt one of the big selling points of electric vehicles is their reduced maintenance requirements. Of course, that’s seldom what you hear on the showroom floor. Instead, that might get exaggerated so you hear “no maintenance needed!” from some less-than-stellar sales reps.

While it’s true EVs don’t require oil or coolant changes or sparkplug replacements, they do have systems that need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. But yes, the costs of operation are a fraction of what a traditional combustion-engine vehicle costs.

Nissan recommends a 12,000-km service interval with two basic menus for its all-electric Leaf. At the first 12,000-km mark (and for every 24,000 km after that) it’s simply a tire rotation and visual inspection of axles, suspension components, brakes and steering mechanisms. There’s no mandatory replacement of anything, it’s all based on the car’s condition.

Having an annual checkup is wise. This service at a dealership should cost less than $100, but prices may vary.

At the 24,000-km mark, Nissan lists the same tire rotation and inspection but also includes brake fluid replacement, EV battery usage report, cabin filter replacement and a check on reduction-gear oil level and condition. Dealership service departments will generally charge between $150 and $250 for this checkup.

Tesla is a little more lenient in its maintenance requirements, with tire inspections every 16,000 km to 20,000 km, and rotations or alignments based on tire wear and condition. Cabin filters are to be replaced every two years, and HEPA filters every three years.

Air filter replacement needs are dictated solely by the environment you drive in. If you regularly use unpaved roads, or drive through construction zones, the dust that’s kicked up may require more frequent filter replacement.

For Canadian weather conditions, Tesla recommends annual brake inspections with cleaning and lubricant services. The braking systems on EVs (and hybrids) incorporate electrical generators, and keeping them in tip-top condition is important.

As with Nissan, Tesla recommends inspecting brake fluid for contamination every two years but only replacing it if needed. Condensation is the culprit they’re looking for, and left unchecked it can cause corrosion on metal components of the brake’s hydraulic system. One unique kink to Tesla’s maintenance guide is the requirement to replace a desiccant unit in the vehicle’s air conditioning system. Also known as a receiver-drier, it helps to remove condensation from the system, keeping valves moving.

Many of the items are relatively easy DIY affairs.