Advice to a novice grease monkey
When I was a young grease monkey, my then mentor and guide in the workshop told me a golden rule “There’s a lot of moving parts in here. If you ever notice an oil leak or an abnormal sound from any part of the vehicle, it means there is a problem that requires investigation and an immediate fix. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine.” This simple rule of thumb has never been proved wrong – till date that is.
With the advent of Hybrids and Electrics with far fewer moving parts, I have wondered (and possibly you too) if its time for the golden rule to be questioned. I dug around and found there is a need for a comprehensive guide on the subject to expose once and for all…the truth about electric vehicles and reduced maintenance.
It’s true. Fewer moving mechanical parts substantially reduces scheduled maintenance.
A lot depends on the technology – if its completely electric like a Tesla S, Nissan Leaf, Ford Fusion Electric or a hybrid like Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt.
Most Hybrid vehicles have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and hence are subject to periodic maintenance like pure ICE vehicles. In some cases, the service intervals may be longer due to regenerative technology or use of electronic technology and controls in place of mechanical moving parts.
I will focus here only on pure Electric Vehicles (EVs) like the Tesla S, Nissan Leaf or the Ford Fusion Electric.
Most battery – electric vehicles lack many of the components that go wrong in ICE / gasoline cars. At the launch of the Ford Focus Electric, Ford claimed “When it comes to regularly scheduled maintenance, the Ford Focus Electric will be the easiest car to own that Ford Motor Company has ever built. Because the Focus Electric does not have a conventional piston engine or an automatic or manual transmission, its drivers will wave goodbye to such things as oil changes and tuneups – a scenario most other motorists can only dream of.”
Ford Focus Electric Chassis, Photo: www.greencarreports.com
As is true of the Ford Focus Electric, (with some variation based on technology employed) all EVs lack Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) and transmissions (manual or automatic).
Lack of an ICE negates the need for several parts that require regular maintenance like filters (oil, air, fuel), engine oil & lubricants, spark / heater plugs, plug cords, coolants and fluids, starter motors, alternator, thermostats, timing belts, carburetor (long extinct any way), distributor assembly, fuel injectors, fuel pumps, O2 sensors, belts, radiator, exhaust systems, turbo chargers and related mounts, clamps, holders or connectors.
Lack of transmission means that clutches, pressure plates, bearings, transmission or gear oils, power steering fluids are unnecessary.
Engine and transmission technology has evolved tremendously to the extent that several car manufacturers offer 100,000 miles / 10 year warranty. Assuming that most ICE driven cars today easily last over 150,000 miles (and assuming that the EVs will last the same distance if not more), elimination of so many components implies elimination of associated inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement. That’s substantial savings in time and effort for car owners of EVs.
EVs are definitely not maintenance free
EVs share several components with ICE powered vehicles and hence require regular maintenance:
- Brake pads, rotors and related parts replacements: In many EVs, traditional braking systems are used only in emergency. Due to regenerative braking, motor speed adjustment or reversal, wear of friction components is substantially reduced, life extended and replacement interval stretched. Tesla for example claims its slowing power comes from regenerative braking, or turning the motor into a generator to recharge the battery pack, slowing the car in the process.
- Wheel alignment and balancing
- Tyre rotation
- Tyre replacements
- Flat tyre fixes (dah!)
- Wipers, bulbs replacements
- Shock absorber replacements
- Heating, cooling and air-conditioning systems maintenance (e.g. gas, flush, repair / replacement)
- Cabin filters replacement
- Car wash and detailing (I am sure you didn’t guess this one)
- Windshield glass replacements
Given that EVs rely heavily on batteries, motors, electronics and software, these components will require periodic refreshes, updates or replacements. As of this writing, not much data is available on the stability of these components but it is reasonable to expect that problems will arise depending on the varied applications and environments in which the EVs will be driven. Batteries have ideal operating temperature range and their performance can be substantially impacted by extreme heat or cold.
Several new components like charging ports, controllers, sensors and hardware interfaces are inevitably required that will open new areas of maintenance.
Larger challenge of universal serviceability and total cost of ownership
Until the technology becomes mainstream and achieves mass adoption, EV car owners will be hit hard by limited accessibility to competent service networks. Low vehicle volumes and technology patents held by OEMs will hinder aftermarket replacements and repairs causing higher cost of ownership due to higher cost of components and repairs. The savings due to reduced or eliminated regular maintenance services may be offset by the higher initial cost of the vehicles, potentially higher insurance costs, cost of replacement batteries or other components and services.
Repairs and Maintenance is here to stay – even for EVs.
While Elon Musk said (to much applause from Tesla’s share holders) “Our philosophy with respect to service is not to make a profit on service. I think it’s terrible to make a profit on service.”, I think it’s a good goal to have but reality is far from it.
After all, service includes all forms of repairs and maintenance including collision repair. Tesla might not wish to make a profit from periodic maintenance services but it absolutely has to push profitability on all other forms of repairs and maintenance for its own as well as for the viability of the independently owned and operated network of Tesla Factory Certified Collision Repair Centers it is establishing up by certifying existing facilities.
Tesla Certified Collision Service Center, Tesla S in picture. Photo: amatosautobody.com
So strong is the emphasis on serviceability that inspite of Musk’s statements, Tesla claims that by March of next year, more than 90% of all current Model reservation holders will be within 100 miles of a Tesla Service Center, and more than 80% will be within 50 miles.
So, mark my words.
Albeit on a varied schedule, repairs & maintenance for cars is here to stay – even for EVs.
References:
Tesla Model S Annual Service Checklist
Nissan Leaf Service Schedule and Checklist
Chevrolet Volt Service Schedule and Checklist
Shashi K
Vijay, very nice article. I was always wondering this question about servicing, and you have pointed out all possible servicing required for EV cars. I think there is always a need for battery replacements, and servicing of electric gears (even if it is simple replacement) once their warranty period is over.
Eventually I believe the model of “service-at-home” concept will evolve for EV vehicles(Mahindra Reva does this now in Bangalore), and all service stations must gear towards providing such an option to customers.