Several countries looking to decrease their carbon footprint are now inclining towards electric vehicles. These are less polluting, simple, and require less effort to care for. Classic cars – run by fossil fuel – creates gases that harm the environment. Moreover, with the source of fossil fuel dwindling – the demand for an electric car is increasing slowly. However, owning an electrical vehicle means knowing to take care of it too. If you need any help doing it or other electric vehicle services – you should contact the best car mechanics in Perth.
Difference between traditional and electric vehicles
There are certain differences between an electric car and a fossil-fuel-powered vehicle – so the protocols for taking care of this vehicle are also different. Although most of its problems can be detected and solved by the technicians – while they are completing the most thorough car inspection Perth, it is better to know these dissimilarities so that you can maintain your electric vehicle smoothly.
• The apparent difference is easily observable – electric vehicles are run by electricity, and classic cars use fossil fuel to run.
• Electrical vehicle power-trains are less complex than internal combustion engines. Motors of these electric vehicles have lesser and lighter parts. They do not require oil, spark plug, oil, or gas filter changes.
• Electric cars do not use complicated multi-speed transmission. Most of them work by a fixed-ratio, direct drive setup. They also don’t have an exhaust system, fuel injector, muffler, catalytic converter, or fuel pump.
• Electric car motors provide instant power on acceleration, quiet, and extremely efficient performance and do not produce polluting vapor and emissions.
Compared to gasoline-powered customary cars, electric vehicles are easy to maintain. In some countries, the high cost and less awareness result in low demand for electric vehicles; however, their environmental impact is much more positive than general cars.
The ways to maintain electric vehicles
Electric vehicles have rechargeable batteries that are charged using electricity. Its motor doesn’t need fossil fuels and doesn’t have a petrol or diesel engine. Countries interested in reducing their carbon footprints are veering towards electric vehicles – experts suggest that electric vehicles will increase in the coming years. So, it’s better to know about the caring of electric vehicles so that it runs properly for a longer time. Some ways to care for electric cars are given below:
1. Special care for the brakes
Electric vehicles use regenerative braking, which creates energy for the batteries once the brake is pressed. For that, the brakes make the electric motor of the car act as a generator and create electricity for storing in the battery pack. In some models of electric cars, one-pedal driving is used – where pressing on the accelerator drives the car forward and lifting off the pedal causes the car to brake. Electric vehicles have the available friction brakes – but they last longer than traditional cars because of the controlled use. So, if you keep good driving habits – like tailgating less and slamming on the brakes – the brakes will work for more time. Otherwise, if you avoid driving at high speeds, start conserving speed, and service the brakes at a regular interval – your electric car would function properly.
2. Maintenance of the motor
As stated earlier, electric cars’ motors don’t need oil changes like a usual car. However, they need periodic maintenance, which the car dealer will handle if the electric vehicle is new. You may have to find an experienced auto mechanic or well-known electric vehicle repair shop for old models of these cars to get the appropriate service. Replacing fuel filters and changing the oil is easy – but take the help of professionals if you are unsure about doing it.
Most electric vehicles don’t need a transmission fluid change. The direct-drive system may need a lubricant – but usually, these arrangements are sealed. However, the cars which need transmission fluid replacements have a long service period before changing – generally, it is 12 years or 150000 miles, whichever comes earlier.
3. Keeping the battery in optimum condition
The battery pack is the most important, biggest, and costliest part of the electrical vehicle. Charging and maintaining the battery properly will directly affect the longevity of the electric car. Nevertheless, some pointers about maintaining the battery of the electrical vehicle are given below:
• Maintain your battery’s charge between 20% and 80% whenever possible – it will degrade the battery quicker if you frequently charge it to full. Same for leaving the battery at low charge for a prolonged time. You can choose the time when the battery starts charging and how much it should charge in the settings of most electric vehicles.
• Plug your car in at home when you have finished driving, and the charger should sufficiently reload it by the time you need it the following day. · It’s alright to charge the battery to full and drive until it’s almost exhausted if you are going for a long drive – but you should avoid it during regular daily driving. In all probability, you would not need a complete battery range each day, so it is OK charging it to 80% or less.
• Extreme temperatures are not optimal for battery functioning – the same goes for electric vehicles too. If you can, avoid parking the electric vehicle in the sun for a long time. Similarly, park it in your garage or other covered places in cold weather. Cold weather won’t degrade the battery but will reduce its range temporarily. Although it’s not apparent, electric and gas cars have better range in warmer weather than colder temperatures.
Using public chargers
Public charging stations are available in locations where electric vehicles are used significantly. Depending upon the energy production of the charging post, proficiency of your car’s onboard charger, temperature, and battery magnitude – your car can get 200 – 1000 miles per hour. You can also charge them in your home outlet – but the process will be slow. In most cases, electrical vehicle owners install a 240V level-2 charger to get 10 to 60 miles range every hour.
If you want to know anything more about charging the electric vehicle – you should consult the most proficient technician at any auto repair shop of your choice.
