Electric vs Petrol Cars: How Maintenance Differs What to Expect

Electric vehicles require far less maintenance than petrol cars – but they aren’t completely maintenance-free. Learn the key differences in servicing EVs vs petrol cars to plan your car care accordingly.

Fewer Fluids and Moving Parts (EV Benefits): One big reason electric vehicles (EVs) shine in maintenance is their simplicity. EVs don’t need oil changes, timing belt replacements, or spark plug swaps. The entire drivetrain has far fewer moving parts than a petrol engine. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all-electric cars typically require less maintenance because “the battery, motor, and associated electronics require little to no regular maintenance” and there are fewer fluids like engine oil to change​

Brake wear is also reduced thanks to regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor to slow the car and recharges the battery​

In short, there are simply fewer things to break or service in an EV. Owners often report spending significantly less on routine maintenance over the life of the vehicle.

Still Needed for EVs: To be clear, EVs aren’t 100% maintenance-free. You’ll still need to rotate your tires, replace them when worn, and maintain proper tire pressure (an often overlooked task that affects range and safety). Brake fluid should be flushed on schedule (even if pads last longer). Coolant for the battery or thermal management system may require occasional checks or replacement (many EVs use coolant to keep the battery at optimal temperature). Cabin air filters still need periodic changing to keep your HVAC blowing clean. And of course, general inspections of suspension, steering, and other chassis components are necessary – EV or not, a car is a car when it comes to tires, brakes, and body hardware.

Petrol Car Maintenance Needs: Traditional petrol cars have more complex engines with many subsystems that require care. Regular oil and oil filter changes are a cornerstone of engine longevity – typically every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on oil type and manufacturer specs. Petrol engines also have components like spark plugs (which ignite the fuel), fuel injectors, air filters, and oxygen sensors that need periodic servicing or replacement. There’s also transmission fluid and possibly differential/transfer case fluids in conventional drivetrains, which EVs don’t have (EVs usually have a single-speed gearbox). All these fluids and wearable engine parts mean more routine services for gas cars. As a result, a petrol car will visit the service shop more often over its lifetime for scheduled maintenance items compared to an EV​

Cost Differences: With fewer maintenance tasks, EV owners generally spend less on service. A study by consumer groups found that over the life of a vehicle, EV maintenance costs can be half that of an equivalent petrol vehicle​

No oil changes, fewer brake replacements, and less frequent dealer visits can save EV drivers thousands of dollars. However, EV owners should budget for potential big-ticket items down the road – namely, battery degradation. While EV batteries are designed to last many years (often with 8-year/100,000-mile warranties), they do slowly lose capacity. Replacing an out-of-warranty battery can be expensive (think several thousand dollars). Fortunately, battery prices are expected to drop as technology improves, and most drivers may never need to replace their battery during the car’s useful life​

Dealer vs. DIY: Another difference is where you get service. Many EV owners report needing far fewer dealer visits. Basic things like tire rotations can be done at any shop. Software updates for EVs can often be done over-the-air or during infrequent checkups. Petrol cars, on the other hand, might need more frequent dealer-specific attention for engine tuning, emissions checks, and fluid services. If you enjoy DIY car maintenance, gas cars have an edge – enthusiasts can change their own oil or spark plugs. With EVs, there’s less to tinker with (and high-voltage systems are best left to professionals for safety).

Future Considerations: As EV adoption grows, independent mechanics are becoming more knowledgeable about electric drivetrains. Still, the dealer network or specialized EV service centers might be your go-to for complex issues (like diagnosing a battery fault or electronics glitch) since those require specific training and tools. Petrol cars benefit from a century of widespread service know-how, whereas EV maintenance is a newer frontier. The good news: EVs inherently need less hands-on upkeep, and many routine checks can coincide with yearly state inspections or tire changes.

Conclusion: If you’re switching from a petrol car to an electric, expect far less frequent maintenance – no more oil changes or tune-ups! You’ll mainly monitor tires, brakes, and fluids like brake coolant. Petrol vehicles still demand regular attention to keep their engines healthy. Both vehicle types need care, but EVs will generally simplify your maintenance schedule and could save you a considerable sum in service costs over time​

It’s one more factor (beyond fuel savings) that makes EV ownership attractive.

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