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Servicing an electric car
Electric vehicles still need maintenance but there are key things to know about how servicing an EV compares to traditional petrol and diesel cars
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Electric vehicles still need maintenance but there are key things to know about how servicing an EV compares to traditional petrol and diesel cars
Published
10 min read
Text size
Published
Text size
One of the most touted advantages of owing an electric vehicle (EV) is the lower cost of running it.
We’re not just talking about the generally lower price of electricity versus petrol or diesel that’s required per-kilometre for an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
Servicing can be cheaper too: at times, much cheaper. This is due to there being far fewer moving parts in an electric motor compared to an ICE. But at the same time, EVs can wear tyres more quickly because of their heavier weight and the high torque outputs of their electric motors.
Both factors should be taken into consideration if you’re in the market for an EV, given the expenses of ownership can be spread differently to servicing of ICE vehicles.
This doesn’t mean EVs don’t require regular servicing and maintenance; it just means there are some differences, and similarities.
We’ll outline both, to better understand what is involved in maintaining an EV.
For the purposes of simplicity and clarity, we’ll talk about a full battery EV, as opposed to an EV/ICE combination (hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), or extended range or range extender EVs (EREV/REEV)).
For many people, what’s under the bonnet is a bit of a mystery.
Some serviceable items in EVs are much like those of a traditional ICE vehicle: the 12-volt battery that powers basic electronics, such as computers, lights and locks, as well as the fluid reservoirs, the brakes and even the suspension.
Under the bonnet (or below the boot floor) though, things look radically different.
The heart of an EV, the electric motor, is an enclosed unit that is expected to last the life of the car and generally need very little regular maintenance compared with an internal combustion engine.
It does not demand the engine oil and oil filter changes, spark plugs, fuel filters, engine air filters and, in some cases, drive belts and transmission servicing typically needed by a petrol or diesel vehicle. These need to be monitored and replaced regularly over the life of a regular car and that adds up significantly as the vehicle ages.
Similarly, on an EV there are no exhaust pipes, mufflers, manifolds, particulate filters, catalytic converters or other emissions-related items.
But it is still important for EV owners to adhere to the servicing schedule set out by the car’s manufacturer, because environmental factors, including dust, vibration and extreme heat and cold can affect the motor’s supporting systems.
In an EV, the main traction battery stores electricity, just as the fuel tank in an ICE vehicle stores the energy contained in the fuel.
But don’t confuse an EV’s main traction battery with a regular 12V car battery, which EVs also have.
In an EV, when the driver presses down on the accelerator, a controller sends electricity via an inverter, which changes direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC), before it is sent to the electric motor or motors. That electrical energy is then converted into mechanical energy that rotates the electric motor’s rotor, which drives the vehicle’s transmission (also known as the reducer or reduction gear) that turns the wheels.
The traction battery packs in an EV are currently almost all lithium-ion based. As with your smartphone battery, they start to degrade over time, and this shows up as reduced distance range between recharges. But they usually have a serviceable life of more than a decade if properly maintained.
Most manufacturers provide an eight year/160,000km traction battery pack warranty or more, guaranteeing at least 70 per cent capacity after that period of time/mileage.
Beware that warranty periods vary by manufacturer and model; some are for longer periods and some a bit shorter. MG offers a 10-year/250,000km warranty and Geely and Chery both have no limits on mileage, whilst Kia’s is a seven-year/150,000km warranty. Check the fine print in your car’s current warranty documents.
Keep in mind, too, that the above information applies to private buyers. Commercial-use applications such as rental, ride sharing and delivery work are typically limited to 150,000km in Australia.
Most batteries do last a lot longer, especially if they’re charged regularly and aren’t limited to a constant cycle of full-depletion/recharge. Manufacturers advise that varying the charging amount will extend your traction battery pack’s life, so don’t always run it down to empty.
Generally, the rules surrounding voiding your EV battery’s vehicle-manufacturer’s warranty are in line with most consumer products.
These include:
Neglecting to service the vehicle
Making or adding aftermarket modifications to the vehicle that lead to battery failure
Wilful damage
In some cases, damage from impacts, flooding, fire or other external incidents may not be covered. These are generally assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the warranty’s conditions.
On the other hand, the following do not void your EV battery warranty:
Using third party chargers that meet Australian standards
Using home or work wall boxes
Third-party routine servicing (i.e. not going to your EV brand’s dealer network)
They might be different in size or specification and even look very different in some cases, even though they’re from the same brand. But there are still plenty of shared parts between an EV and an ICE vehicle that need scheduled servicing.
These include:
Regular annual or mileage-based electrical diagnostics that check the vehicle system’s health, be it an EV or ICE vehicle.
Cooling systems with fans and fluids can require top-up and maintenance.
12-volt car battery that powers systems like central locking, in-car climate control and multimedia systems among other items.
Brake pads, discs, calipers, brake fluid and other related items that are worn over time and distance, do need routine checks and maintenance.
Windscreen glass, wiper arms, blades and fluid, and related rubbers degrade or disappear over time, so these also fall under regular servicing.
Safety systems, from the stability and traction control software and hardware, through to the airbags, need to be monitored since sensors can fail.
Air filters for the car’s cabin need replacement to help keep the air clean inside, especially in higher-end vehicles that have specialised equipment to screen out airborne toxins.
Steering and suspension components are a big-ticket item shared by EVs and ICE vehicles. Constant velocity joints, shock absorbers, springs, tie rod ends, ball joints and other items all wear out or require new parts to stay in tip-top condition. This may not happen initially, but certainly within five or so years of driving for some items.
Tyres wear over distance and can also harden over time, so need to be rotated, swapped around or replaced with regularity. And of course, all cars still need to have the correct air pressures in their tyres.
Many, but not all, vehicle service schedules are set at 12 months or between 15,000km and 20,000km. Some have a lower threshold and a small handful call for longer times and distances between visits, stretching the latter out to 30,000km between visits to the dealer.
The best rule of thumb is to stick to your car’s recommended schedule and time a service accordingly, or sooner if you clock up more kilometres than the manufacturer’s service period allows.
This is to ensure that – be it an EV or ICE car – the vehicle is in optimal condition. Scheduled servicing also provides an opportunity to inspect critical safety-related items including brakes, steering, suspension, tyres and restraint systems.
Make sure that the garage or service centre you use is equipped and trained to service EVs, such as an RAC Auto Services centre.
Just as an ICE vehicle’s servicing costs differ dramatically according to brand, complexity, technologies, size, vehicle age, price and other factors, the same also applies to EVs. The variation can seem endless. A Toyota costs less to service and maintain than a Mercedes-Benz.
To demonstrate the differences between the two propulsion types, let’s use the example of the popular Hyundai Kona small SUV, which can be purchased with an internal combustion engine or as an EV.
For fairness, we’re comparing the mid-range $36,700 Kona Elite 2.0-litre four-cylinder front-wheel drive (2WD) with the $46,000 Kona Electric Standard Range 2WD equivalent.
The Kona petrol comes with 12-month/15,000km servicing intervals, while the Kona EV offers 24-month/30,000km intervals, with fixed-price servicing quoted over a six-year period from a Perth metropolitan dealership. This pricing is given as an example and is correct at the time of writing, but prices can vary by dealer, location and date.
12 months/15,000km | $439 |
|---|---|
24 months/30,000km | $445 |
36 months/45,000km | $458 |
48 months/60,000km | $445 |
60 months/75,000km | $439 |
72 months/90,000km | $533 |
TOTAL COST | $2759 |
24 months/30,000km | $670 |
|---|---|
48 months/60,000km | $695 |
72 months/90,000km | $670 |
TOTAL COST | $2035 |
Breaking down these service costs, here’s what is involved at the 48 month/60,000km service interval for the Kona Electric EV, costing $695:
Carry out complete global diagnostic system check, check operation of instrument warning lights, gauges and illumination, check vehicle for outstanding recalls or service campaigns, inspect airbag and pre-tensioners, inspect air conditioner refrigerant/compressor, inspect 12V auxiliary battery terminals and condition, inspect bolts and nuts on chassis body, inspect brake fluid, inspect brake hoses, lines and connections, inspect brake pedal, inspect climate control air filter, inspect cooling system level and hoses, inspect disc brakes and pads, inspect drive shafts and boots, inspect front suspension ball joints, inspect operation of lights/wipers and controls and accessories, inspect park brake, inspect reduction gear fluid, inspect seat belt webbing and operation, inspect steering rack and all linkage components and boots, inspect tyres including pressure and tread wear, lube door, boot, bonnet hinges and latches, and rotate wheels front to rear.
For the Kona Elite 2.0L petrol service for the same 48 month/60,000km interval, costing $458:
Most of the above, plus perform fuel system treatment, replace engine oil and filter, replace fuel filter, inspect fuel lines, hoses and connections, inspect drive belts, inspect drive shafts and boots, inspect fuel tank air filter, inspect fuel vapour hoses and inspect fuel cap.
EV servicing also involves carrying out general high voltage (HV) component and battery care inspections during each service interval, using specialised diagnostic equipment.
As some of the high voltage components involve sealed units, issues identified or flagged during routine check and maintenance servicing may need to be referred for specialist repairs.
An EV service may also include inspections of high voltage cables, connectors, battery cooling systems and insulation resistance checks, depending on the manufacturer requirements.
In general, the Kona Electric has fewer parts that require servicing or replacement, adding to its lower cost. The parts that do need servicing and/or replacing are generally on par, price-wise, with the ICE version.
Overall, EVs cost less to drive and maintain than an equivalent ICE vehicle.
As EV ownership increases, with potential related infrastructure upgrades and incentives, in terms of taxes, parking and registration, it may become even more affordable to own and run an EV.
Whether Australia ultimately goes as far as countries including Norway, the UK, Sweden and Canada, which are working on phasing out ICE vehicles, EVs are here to stay.
Last updated October 2026. First published January 2022
