Fonz
Premium Member
Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
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A query popped into my head this week and I turn to CS to see if anyone has the answer.
our ICE motors require annual servicing or thereabouts, be it an oil change, filters or something more significant like brakes or even a new exhaust fitted.
these elements are not relevant to a full electric car, be that a Zoe, Leaf or a Tesla...
so what are the servicing needs of these electric vehicles?
should owners still expect annual servicing to replace a pollen filter and....err....what else??
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Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
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They've replaced traditional servicing with an online schedule instead, basically the period of a maximum of three weeks and instead of changing parts you log in to Facebook or Twitter and tell someone that you have an electric car.
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SetH
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Registered: 15th Jul 01
User status: Offline
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Ian 
/BANNED
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3CorsaMeal
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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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I think once a year you have to disconnect the battery and give it a lick to test it
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DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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Other than mechanical consumables like Brake Pads/Discs and software updates there isn't much else to "service".
The main killer with EVs is the life span of the batteries, they deteriorate over time.
Amazingly early Tesla's have a MILLION MILE warranty on the batteries (there are 8,250 individual cells in a Model S!) and motor.
[Edited on 06-12-2019 by DaveyLC]
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Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
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They make better use of the brakes if they regen I believe.
Does look a lot less work to run one but I still struggle with becoming that guy.
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tom130691
Premium Member
Registered: 13th Sep 08
Location: Daventry
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quote:
Originally posted by Ian
They make better use of the brakes if they regen I believe.
Does look a lot less work to run one but I still struggle with becoming that guy.
Dont be so sure, the car is heavier and takes more stopping, then regen doesnt happen when the battery is full,
unlike f1 where they downsize the brakes becuase of regen, road cars are the opposite, they have larger brakes to stop them over heating in the event of no regen assistance under sustained braking,
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DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by Ian
They make better use of the brakes if they regen I believe.
Does look a lot less work to run one but I still struggle with becoming that guy.
I missed out on a salvage leaf for £2,600 - I had plans to put a massive sticker on the back saying:
"THIS IS THE FUTURE OF MOTORING"
and underneath in smaller writing "DISAPOINTING ISNT IT".
quote:
Originally posted by tom130691
Dont be so sure, the car is heavier and takes more stopping, then regen doesnt happen when the battery is full,
unlike f1 where they downsize the brakes becuase of regen, road cars are the opposite, they have larger brakes to stop them over heating in the event of no regen assistance under sustained braking,
There really isn't much in it.
Compare an E-Golf to a GTI and there's like 100kg in it, you could get that difference between a poverty spec car and the high spec model.. The hybrids (especially the plug in ones) are significantly heaver.
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Fonz
Premium Member
Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLC
Other than mechanical consumables like Brake Pads/Discs and software updates there isn't much else to "service".
The main killer with EVs is the life span of the batteries, they deteriorate over time.
Amazingly early Tesla's have a MILLION MILE warranty on the batteries (there are 8,250 individual cells in a Model S!) and motor.
So thinking more about this - can we expect the "main dealer" service to be a jumped up version of an ATS brake inspection??
and if so, what will happen to "the local mechanic"? - if EV are getting mechanically simpler, does that also imply less likely to need fixing and easier to fix when required, and much quicker annual servicing only requiring for brakes thus total Service task time is an hour and so £250/service now becomes an hourly rate ~£60-100?
quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLCCompare an E-Golf to a GTI and there's like 100kg in it, you could get that difference between a poverty spec car and the high spec model.. The hybrids (especially the plug in ones) are significantly heaver.
100kgs thats the same as carrying a heavy passenger or two kids, and as you say i could image is similar to a poverty spec to top spec model difference
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Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
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I always question people who use the phrase 'full service' as opposed to service.
Do they mean it also needed more fluids? Brakes? Tyres?
I'd be consulting the schedule or seeing what it needed, the word 'full' to me is completely not necessary.
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Fonz
Premium Member
Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Ian
I'd be consulting the schedule or seeing what it needed,
going off topic but i know what you mean, i phoned up the main dealer for my 4 year old car, after it hit 30k miles, asking if that was a milestone service schedule,
all that came back was "oh right Sir that will be the 4th service"
yes ok - the 4th service but what does that entail?
turns out they were trying to charge me upwards fo £250 for a change in spark plugs, oil and filters and a car wash...
I refused the service and took their comprehensive 27 point service, which obviously included a lot more for only £160!
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Tiger
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Registered: 12th Jun 01
Location: Leicestershire Drives:Astra VXR
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You could always just service it yourself for a lot less.
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DaveyLC
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Ian
I always question people who use the phrase 'full service' as opposed to service.
Do they mean it also needed more fluids? Brakes? Tyres?
I'd be consulting the schedule or seeing what it needed, the word 'full' to me is completely not necessary.
That's because manufacturers now break it all up into: Inspections, minor services & full services.. The whole idea of an "inspection service" makes me laugh - its basically just an opportunity to make you show up at the dealership with your wallet open.
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