EV Maintenance Cost Vs Petrol/Diesel Cars: Are Electric Cars Affordable To Own? – times of India

Based on the recently released MoRTH data on vehicle dashboards, sales of electric vehicles in India have seen a 333 per cent year-on-year growth in the first half of FY22-23 alone. The trend towards electric vehicles has been established and consumers are actively considering them as their next mode of transport. When considering buying a new car, its maintenance cost is an important factor behind a consumer’s purchasing decision. So, here is an explainer how EV service schedules and components differ from petrol/diesel cars that can be used.
In an EV, complex oily bits like the engine, fuel lines, and tank are stored in a . is replaced by electric motor, controller and battery pack. An electric drivetrain is much simpler than an ICE vehicle because it has fewer moving parts that can fail if not maintained. However, with some changes, other peripheral systems like steering system, brakes, suspension and cooling system are present in the EV.

EV Service Check-list:
As we have already explained, EVs are much easier to maintain than their ICE counterparts, however, manufacturers need to ensure that all systems are at optimum performance level from time to time. The key areas that are checked during the EVS service program are as follows:
1. Electric Motor:
The authorized service center will first check the electric motor of the vehicle to see if there is any wear and tear. However, typical EV motors require little or no servicing because most of the brunt is taken from the bearing on the outside.
2. Battery Pack and Thermal System:
The next major electrical component to check is the battery pack for any signs of damage due to being on the road. EV battery packs typically rely on a fluid-based thermal management system that prevents the battery from getting too hot or cold. During service, it shall be ensured that optimum amount of thermal fluid is present in the vehicle for the system to function properly.

3. Brake Fluid and Pad Check:
Similar to petrol-diesel cars, it is necessary to periodically check the brake fluid level of an EV during a service. However, where it differs is in the inspection of the brake pads. Most EVs use some form of brake regeneration technology which uses an electric motor to slow the car down when braking is applied. This means that EV brake pads have a long life and should be checked for any abnormal wear and tear.
4. High-Voltage Cabling:
The high-voltage cabling that goes to an EV is an essential part of a vehicle and should be checked for any signs of damage during service. Being outdoors can sometimes damage the protective outer layer of this harness and requires technicians to address it for roadworthiness. The connector is another component of the wiring harness that needs to be checked.

For errors that cannot be seen by the human eye, a technician will connect an OBD device to the EV to see if the vehicle’s system throws up any saved error codes. Moreover, servicing of an EV is a very less time and money consuming affair unless a major servicing requirement arises.
Taking the Tata Nexon EV as an example, the periodic services for the model can be as low as Rs 2,817 and has a service interval of 10,000 km or 1 year. Add to that, the fuel cost savings that happen over time. Experts agree that these costs can be further reduced, but the overheads from selling ICE models also make it difficult for manufacturers to achieve this. Overall, the complex nature of EVs, which makes them a cleaner and cheaper alternative to ICE vehicles.
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