EVs have maintenance advantage, even infrastructure is picking up

So, if you buy an electric vehicle (EV) in 2022, you will have an advantage while maintaining your car compared to petrol or diesel vehicles as e-car infrastructure is getting a boost. 

 

The average internal combustion engine (ICE) cars usually have a fuel efficiency of around 40 per cent. The remaining 60 per cent is lost via heat and friction. Owing to this, ICE cars consume a substantial amount of energy. Compared to this, EVs are a big energy saver while traveling the same distance. And, a big cost saver too.

A petrol engine

Electric cars need charge that is stored in the batteries. The battery powers the e-vehicles. Well, you can see it this way. EVs are like your smartphone or laptop that run on battery. And, EV batteries can be charged at home or even outside. Maintenance is easy for EVs. 

The first thing you need if you buy an EV is that you must have a parking slot for your car. You also need specialised sockets and relevant electrical connection in the garage if you want to set up a charging point at home.  

But if you need to charge while on the move, you must ensure that your city and the nearby areas have charging points. In case of ICE cars, the frequency of oil changes could be after every 10,000 km but in the case of EVs, you do not need to worry about this. 

Automatic transmission fluid change is required for ICE cars at 100,000 kms. But no need to worry about this in the case of EVs. Spark plugs and wires may also need a change after 100,000 km but it’s not needed for e-vehicles. 

Coolant need not be changed before 100,000 km also but you need to do a check in ICE cars. Otherwise, your engine can suffer a major damage. 

No need to worry about this in e-cars. Only if you have a thermal management system on your battery, will you need to monitor it. In ICE vehicles, as far as brakes are concerned, depending on the way you drive, you may need four trips to your mechanic at least in the first 100,000 km. 

EVs have regenerative brakes and this may cut your visit to the mechanic by nearly half. 

Let us look at the Tata Nexon EV: Charging set-up is installed at home by Tata Motors and this service is completely free. Once it is set up, you need to just plug in and wait for a few hours till the battery is ready. The Nexon EV has an IP 67 and 2 kWh high-energy density Lithium ion battery pack. 

It takes about an hour for charging up to 80 per cent via fast charging. But in the case of regular charging, it may take just eight-nine hours to charge. On a single charge, the Tata Nexon can go up to 310 km. This is good for regular office-goers. 

But even if you run out of charge, Tata Motors has installed a number of charging stations throughout major cities in India. So, unless you are in a remote place, you should not have charging problems. Hyundai and MG also provide commendable services and infrastructure for their e-vehicles. 

Also, companies offer emergency services in case an e-car runs out of battery in a remote location. But this may come with a charge.

So, with EVs maintenance advantage and infra getting a boost, car buyers could flock for them provided prices are at par with ICE vehicles.  

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