How You Can Extend the Life of Your EV
Treating Your Electric Car Right Reaps Longevity Rewards
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One thing is for certain: if you ignore your car’s current issues, it means that there are only going to be even more issues that come up down the line. Of course, all of this is going to become super costly, and no one wants that. While it’s true that electric vehicles don’t need ant oil changes and fewer tune-ups compared to a traditional fossil-fuel car, there will need to be some maintenance from time to time. No machine is a super machine so, of course, any machine, regardless of how it runs, will need some work put into it.
With that said, what exactly can you do to help boost the longevity of your electric vehicle? For the most part, it’s a dead giveaway what needs to be done to traditional cars. There are so many aspects that need to be checked, from the exhaust system, oil changes, brake fluid, transmission fluid and so on. But what about an electric vehicle? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know about expanding the life of your EV!
There’s Battery Maintenance
Traditional cars have battery maintenance for their 12-volt batteries; it’s the same thing when it comes to electric vehicles. The battery is the heart of your EV; its health is crucial for long-term performance (not to mention basic motivation!). Just as the traditional car needs to have some regular battery work (or in time a new battery), it’s the exact same thing for electric vehicles. While all brands of electric cars, such as recently introduced VinFast electric SUV vary, at the end of the day, it’s important to keep in mind that the battery is basically the engine of the EV—without it, it’s not going to be able to run.
You’re going to have to do regular charging, even if you’re not going to drive your car. Most current EV batteries are lithium-ion. These usually need to stay in a certain state of charge. For some, it varies, but it’s usually 20% to 80%. You don’t want these to remain at 100% all the time or regularly get below 20% either.
For the most part, modern EVs have battery management systems to help prevent these extremes, but it’s still wise to be mindful. Be sure to keep an eye on this; it’s entirely different than a fossil-fuel car, which are often kept topped off. On top of that, extreme heat or cold can disrupt the charge of your EV, so opting for moderate temperature conditions like a garage or some sort of cover is going to help the car a lot, too. Overall, battery maintenance is such a major one and probably the most important for extending the life!
Don’t Forget Software Updates
It’s not always just about the internal parts of the modern car; there’s another aspect, its software. Many EV manufacturers release periodic software updates that improve performance and fix bugs. You’re going to have to stay up-to-date with these updates to ensure your vehicle operates at its best. The good news is the industry appears to be moving toward doing update over-the-air (OTA) so they are even more convenient for EV owners.
You’ll Still Need To Take it to a Professional
At the end of the day, it’s still a car, and it’s still going to have to be checked by a professional. Electric cars require less maintenance, but you’ll still need the help of a professional mechanic, especially because of another key element of an EV—its wiring. Those orange-coded high voltage wires are not a home mechanic’s playground. Just as with traditional cars, a good professional will be able to spot issues before they impact your car.
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