Electric vehicles are becoming more popular each year as people become more environmentally conscious and save on gas. However, one of the drawbacks of electric cars is that they can be expensive to repair, leading owners to turn to companies that offer the best extended car warranty. So, why does it cost so much to fix an electric vehicle? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons. But first, let’s discuss what electric vehicles are and why they are so popular these days.
What Is an Electrical Vehicle?
An electric vehicle is a car that gets its power from an onboard battery and electric motor. The battery can either be plugged into the grid for charging or use regenerative braking to charge itself during deceleration. EVs are becoming more popular with each passing year as people begin to see the benefits of reducing their carbon footprints.
In addition, there are several benefits to electric vehicles, including:
- Reduce dependency on oil from foreign countries.
- EVs cause significantly less pollution than a traditional vehicle would since these use very little or even no fossil fuels at all.
- Lower maintenance costs as they have fewer moving parts to maintain.
- A wide range of models and styles are available for purchase.
- Sustainable transportation choices that reduce overall emissions in the atmosphere.
However, despite the benefits, some drawbacks go along with electric vehicles. Electric vehicles tend to be more expensive than traditional gas-powered cars. This is especially true for their batteries, which can wear down over time and need replacing after several years of ownership. Some early electric vehicles use lead-acid or nickel-metal hydride batteries. However, today’s battery-electric cars are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have a longer life span and retain energy better.
Why Is It Expensive to Repair an Electric Vehicle?
As fantastic as electric vehicles might be, you must not forget that they still have components that fail from time to time. In addition, as with any other type of car, when these components fail, it can be pretty expensive to have them repaired. According to a study conducted by an analytical firm called We Predicted, the cost of ownership for an electric vehicle may be greater than that of a gasoline-powered automobile due to service expenses and maintenance costs.
The study discovered that in three months, the service expenses of an electric vehicle were more than twice as high compared to a traditional gas-powered car. At 12 months, the service cost of an electric car was still 1.6 times greater than that of a gasoline-powered vehicle. But why? Here are a few reasons:
1. It takes longer to fix electric vehicles
In some cases, it can take as long as two times longer to fix an electric car compared to a traditional vehicle. The reason for this is that repairs on older vehicles are relatively straightforward. These vehicles have more components and accessories that can be quickly repaired or replaced with relative ease. However, newer and more technologically advanced cars like the Tesla Model S, for example, come with computer-controlled electric motors that are very difficult to fix. Electric vehicles use half the number of parts found in classic cars, but these components give rise to many other problems because they are much more complicated than their gas-powered counterparts.
2. Batteries of electric vehicles require special attention when they need to be fixed or replaced
Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly, but they do need special attention for battery replacement and repair. Most traditional gas-powered cars use an engine belt or a timing chain that can be easily replaced in most cases without requiring the expertise of a technician. On the other hand, electric batteries require recharging and regular maintenance and even require replacement after a few years of use.
3. The cost of labor is also high as electric vehicles require a lot of specialized knowledge and tools
In addition to the time it would take for a technician to fix an electric car, there is also a lot of specialized knowledge and tools needed to fix these vehicles. For example, for a technician to work on an electric vehicle like the Tesla Model X or Y, they will need access to expensive diagnostic equipment that can be hard to find. Furthermore, the technicians will need to wear specialized equipment such as insulated gloves and boots while diagnosing and repairing electric vehicles.
4. Electric vehicle components are still not widely available for purchase
Electric vehicles carry a lot of their spare parts because they consume a lot of power. These spare parts are not widely available in auto shops today because they are made for sophisticated electric cars such as the Tesla Roadster. For this reason, it can be quite expensive to get your hands on these components when you need them.
5. Electric vehicles are still relatively new, so there isn’t a large pool of mechanics who know how to repair them
Electric vehicles are still relatively new, so there aren’t many mechanics who have the expertise to fix them. The number of electric cars on the road today is not high compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Even though they are becoming more popular by the day, it will take some time before electric car mechanics become mainstream.
To Switch or Not to Switch?
Electric vehicles may seem expensive to repair, but the cost is worth it when you consider all the benefits they offer. With proper maintenance, an electric vehicle can last for many years and save you a lot of money in the long run.
