Caring for your battery

Just like ICE vehicles, EV vehicles and especially batteries don’t live forever – and their lifespan depends on the way they are treated. For example, your chosen method of charging will affect the battery’s ability to prolong or not high voltage and capacity range.

Many electric car manufacturers also provide warranties that cover the battery and all other components for a period of many years (click here to find out, for example, about Kia’s 7-Year Warranty).

And there are several other things you can do to get the maximum mileage from your battery pack:

• Your battery’s capacity range is sensitive to extreme temperature. So make sure your EV isn’t left in overly hot or cold temperatures for too long. Some manufacturers, such as Kia, provide additional features such as Winter Mode – designed to improve range and durability in cold weather
• Make sure the battery charge doesn’t run out completely. The most efficient range for charging is between 20% and 80% of the battery capacity
• Make sure the battery isn’t charged too much or too often. DC Charging should be kept to a minimum to help prolong your high-voltage battery life
• (Again, refer to your owner’s manual for specific guidelines here)

Monitoring the brake system

The regenerative braking in EVs means that your brake pads will last for longer. These brake pads when pressed together still use the same hydraulic fluid found in a conventional car however. Although maintenance intervals may stretch to twice as long as a fuel-powered vehicle, you will still need to have the brake pads and the brake fluid replaced every so often to keep everything in optimum working order and avoid corrosion to your brake system.

Keeping the coolant fluid topped up

Electric cars also have a coolant system for regulating the temperature of the battery and preventing overheating. Coolant system flush intervals vary widely from model to model, so it is wise to keep a note of what is recommended for your particular vehicle and then make sure that the fluid is replaced or topped up accordingly.

Rotating your tyres

All tyres on all cars, no matter what type, need to be checked regularly to avoid having to replace them too frequently.

EVs are usually 20-30% heavier than conventional fuel-powered cars, due to the weight of the battery pack. They also deliver instant torque, which can wear out the tyres quicker. So it is extra-important to make sure the tyres are rotated on a regular basis (in accordance with the owner’s manual), and to check for good tyre pressure to ensure a smooth ride and a longer lifespan.