Electric car maintenance

You're right if you feel like you've seen a lot more electric cars driving around lately. According to Statistics Canada, nearly 1.9 million new vehicles were registered in 2024, with battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations jumping by 40.7% from the previous year.

As more drivers plug in, it’s important to know that owning a fully electric vehicle (EV) means thinking differently about car maintenance. EVs don’t have oil changes, exhaust systems, or timing belts to worry about, but they do have unique components like high-voltage batteries, inverters, and onboard software that need regular attention.

In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of electric vehicle maintenance, including what you need to check, how often, and how to keep your EV running smoothly for years to come.

How maintenance differs for electric cars

Electric motors are much simpler than gas engines or hybrid vehicles in that they have way fewer moving parts. That means as an electric vehicle owner, with no internal combustion engine, you can say goodbye to oil changes, tune-ups, timing belts, catalytic converters, exhaust issues, and spark plugs. Basically, with an EV, there’s a lot less to maintain compared to a traditional gas vehicle.

That said, EVs aren’t completely maintenance-free. You’ll still need to take care of the basics, like checking your tire pressure, rotating your tires, replacing windshield wiper blades, swapping out air filters, and topping up fluids like windshield washer fluid and brake fluid.

Plus, there are a few EV-specific things you’ll want to stay on top of, like battery system checks, software updates, and making sure your charging equipment is in good shape. So while your EV requires less maintenance than you're used to, it still requires regular care. What every EV owner should know about maintenance:

EV battery

The electric vehicle battery is one of the most important parts of your EV, as it’s what keeps everything running. Thankfully, EV batteries are built to last and generally don’t need much battery maintenance over their lifetime. That said, it’s still a good idea to have them checked now and then.

You or your mechanic should look for any signs of wear, corrosion, or drops in performance. Some manufacturers recommend checking your EV's battery pack every 20,000 kilometres or so, just to make sure everything’s in good shape.

On the plus side, EV batteries are usually covered by a warranty. In most cases, you’re looking at coverage for eight years or 160,000 kilometres—whichever comes first. So, if something goes wrong with the battery early on, you're likely covered. Just be sure to check the details in your vehicle’s warranty for any specific conditions or limits.

EV battery coolant

Battery coolant plays an important role in helping your EV’s battery last longer. It keeps things from getting too hot, especially when you’re using DC fast chargers that generate a lot more heat due to higher voltage and current. So just like how a regular gas-powered car needs its coolant topped up and changed, your EV does, too.

That said, when it comes to replacing the coolant, manufacturers don’t always agree on the timing. For example, according to J.D. Power, Kia and Hyundai suggest changing it around 80,000 miles (about 130,000 km), Mercedes-Benz recommends 124,000 miles (200,000 km), and Tesla doesn’t include coolant replacement in their regular maintenance schedule at all.

Regenerative braking system

EVs use regenerative braking, which captures energy from slowing down and sends it back to the battery. Because of this, the system is a lot easier on your brake pads, so they tend to last longer than in gas-powered vehicles.

That said, your brakes still do some of the work, especially in sudden stops, so it’s important to have your brake pads and rotors checked regularly to keep everything safe and working properly. It’s also important to flush and replace your brake fluid about every 30,000 kilometres, or as recommended in your owner’s manual.

Tire replacements

A significant difference between EVs and gas-powered vehicles is weight. EVs are heavier, mostly because of the battery. Take the Ford F-150 as an example. The gas-powered version weighs around 4,500 lbs, while the fully electric F-150 Lightning can weigh anywhere from 6,000 to nearly 6,900 lbs, depending on model and trim. That’s up to 35% heavier, and a huge chunk of that weight comes from the Lightning’s massive 1,800-pound battery.

Because of that extra weight, EVs tend to go through tires faster than their gas-powered counterparts. In fact, according to J.D. Power, EV tires may last 30,000 to 40,000 miles (48,000 to 64,000 kilometres), which is roughly 20% less than what you'd typically get from tires on a regular internal combustion vehicle. So, if you’re driving an EV, it’s a good idea to keep a closer eye on tire wear and be prepared to replace them a bit more often.

Charging port

If you drive an electric vehicle, your charging port is just as important as your gas cap used to be. Make sure to keep it clean and free of debris, and check now and then for any signs of wear, corrosion, or loose connections. If your charging seems slower than usual or you're having trouble getting a solid connection, it’s a good idea to have it looked at by a technician.

System updates

EVs require advanced onboard technology that manages everything from power delivery to performance and efficiency. And just like your phone or laptop, this system gets updates from the manufacturer, often delivered wirelessly through what’s called over-the-air (OTA) updates.

These updates can fix bugs, boost reliability, and sometimes even unlock new features or improve driving performance. It’s a good idea to check for updates regularly or enable automatic updates if your EV allows it, just to make sure you're always running the latest version.

How much does EV maintenance cost?

A significant benefit of owning an electric vehicle is its lower maintenance costs. Not only is it cheaper to charge an EV at home compared to filling up a gas tank, but the ongoing upkeep tends to cost less, too.

Since EVs don’t have engines packed with moving parts, you can say goodbye to oil changes, tune-ups, and other common gas-car services. With an EV, there’s simply less that can wear out or break over time.

According to Forbes, scheduled maintenance for EVs costs about $0.06 per mile, compared to $0.10 per mile for a gas vehicle. If you drive around 24,000 kilometres a year (about 15,000 miles), that could add up to a savings of around $600 per year, or $3,000 over five years.

That said, when something does go wrong, EVs often need to be serviced by a specialized technician, which can mean higher labour rates. But for most drivers, the lower day-to-day maintenance needs can still help make EVs a more affordable choice over time.

Canadian-specific EV maintenance challenges

Driving an EV in Canada comes with some unique maintenance challenges, especially in the winter. Cold weather can have a noticeable impact on your EV’s performance, particularly its range and charging speed, according to CAA’s EV Winter Test, where 14 top-selling electric vehicles were driven from Ottawa to Mont-Tremblant in sub-zero temperatures; all of them experienced range loss. Some dropped by as much as 39%, while others saw a more modest decrease of around 14% compared to their official ratings.

Charging is also affected. A CAA survey found that 4 in 10 EV owners reported slower charging times during extreme cold. For faster charging, plug in your EV right after driving, while the battery is still warm.

The good news is that thanks to ongoing advancements in EV technology, EVs can absolutely handle Canadian winters. They may just require a bit more attention when the temperature drops.

Learn more with BrokerLink

If you’d like to explore your options for electric car insurance, get in touch with BrokerLink. Our insurance advisors work with many of Canada’s leading providers to help you find a great rate, all without compromising on coverage.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive car insurance quote in minutes.

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