The automotive industry is constantly geared towards innovation and improvement, and some of the goals of car manufacturers have been to produce cars that are more sustainable and energy efficient.
In their efforts, electric vehicles have become increasingly popular. But what can you expect when it comes to servicing electric cars? Is it more difficult and expensive compared to conventional cars? Let’s find out!
Internal Combustion Engine VS Electric Vehicles
Internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric vehicles (EV) may look almost identical on the outside, but there is so much more than meets the eye. Just a peek under the hood and you’ll quickly realise the difference between the two.
An internal combustion engine involves multiple moving parts that work simultaneously to move the car. These often involve parts like pistons, timing belts, spark plugs, a radiator, and numerous other parts that fit together to allow the engine to run. Under the hood of an electric vehicle, you’ll see something very different.
EVs run on a propulsion system consisting of a large battery pack, usually a lithium-ion battery, an electric motor, a control box designed to control the motor, and a reduction gearbox.
The motor of an electric vehicle usually sits on the axles to reduce the need to transfer power through shafts, offering instant power.
What’s the biggest difference between these two types of vehicles? One runs on electricity, while the other relies on fuel that combusts in order to convert energy.
ICE service vs EV service
Looking at maintenance and services, electric vehicles are a lot more convenient to service. This is mainly because there’s not much you need to do regarding service for an electric vehicle.
Usually, with an EV, the onboard computer will indicate when it’s time to take it in for a service. These services would usually include changing the breaks, inspecting the suspension door hinges, or changing the pollen filter.
A diagnostics test would also be done to check the online systems or battery health of the car.
Now, for internal combustion engine vehicles, the services are more intense. Most vehicles have a recommended distance they can drive before they need a service. This is usually between 10,000km to 20,000, depending on the car.
They also have two types of services, a basic service, which covers the air filiter, fuel filter, spark plugs, oil change, oil filter, and any other small fixes that need to take place.
While the more intensive servious would cover all of the above including changing the brakes, checking the brake discs, brake fluid, transmission fluid, changing the timing belt, resetting the vehicle’s timing, and anything else that needs attention.
In addition to that, ICE vehicles also have more moveable parts that tend to wear and tear, resulting in them needing to be replaced.
For example, depending on the oil you use, the interior of your engine could wear, leading to pistons misfiring and possibly damaging the cylinder head rings. As a result, you would need to replace the whole cylinder head.
Thus, it’s clear that when it comes to servicing, electric vehicles are far easier to maintain.
Get your car serviced today
As you can see, maintenance on an EV seems to be far less than on an internal combustion engine. But, if you prefer the typical ICE vehicle, getting it serviced at a reputable service centre is essential.
Wayne Park specialises in servicing European cars in Brisbane. When it comes to servicing your car, there’s no place better!
Final Thought
Whether you go the EV route or stick with combustion engines, servicing your vehicle and keeping up with routine maintenance are vital to getting the optimal performance from it. Check your user manual and take your car in for service when it’s due.
If you have an EV, remember to watch your battery health and other necessary components to keep it running well.