Discover the electric cars available from Beev
Maintaining your electric car
What's different compared with an internal combustion car
Unlike a "conventional" car, i.e. an internal combustion engine, an electric car does not run on a combustion engine. As its name suggests, it is powered by an electric motor.
All the mechanical parts and components linked to combustion are therefore absent from your electric vehicle. This makes aortant fewer parts to change or maintainsuch as :
- Candles ;
- The oil ;
- The timing belt ;
- Cylinder head gasket ;
- The carburettor.
These wearing parts can be expensive (€600 on average for a distribution kit), which makes maintaining an electric vehicle considerably cheaper.
So you can forget about changing the oil, many wear parts and also the clutch and gearbox, as there are none on an electric car.
⚠️On the other hand, you will have to rely on the presence of a major electrical system, the components of which obviously need to be checked.
Things to check when servicing your electric car
An electric vehicle runs on an electric motor and a battery. Checks vary from one manufacturer to another: some require them to be carried out every year. Fortunately, its lifespan is longer and longer today.
However, an electric car battery must be recharged regularly and can therefore wear out if used incorrectlyjust like any other type of battery. To make sure it lasts for many years, don't leave your vehicle plugged in unnecessarily. Some have a loading time indicator: use this to plan your recharge.
The electrical system requires checking its components (charging system, electrical circuits, etc.) which are also checked at the roadworthiness test. So it's important to have them tested periodically by your garage mechanic if you don't want to have to undergo a second inspection.
Finally, an electric vehicle still has mechanical and electrical components. traditional wear parts These include braking system components (pads, discs), tyres and fluids. But the braking system of an electric vehicle is less stressed than that of a combustion engine car, so parts need to be changed less frequently thanks to regenerative braking.
Find a garage to service your electric vehicle
Whatever your vehicle, find a garage is not necessarily easy: competition is fierce and there is a wide range of products on offer ! Independent garages stand alongside car centres (Norauto, Midas, etc.) and dealerships. Alternative practices such as community garages have also developed.
These different garages sometimes charge very different prices, not only for the parts themselves but also for the hourly cost of labourwhich even varies from one region to another (up to 40% more expensive in Île-de-France compared with the French average). Bills can therefore vary significantly from one garage to another.
There is an additional difficulty when driving an electric vehicle: not all garages accept electric cars. You need to be a authorised technician to work on your vehicle's electrical system.
This authorisation has been in place for several years: it is the standard NF C 18-550which guarantees that your garage can handle your electric vehicle. Don't panic: with the growth of the electric market, more and more garages have this authorisation and there are even specialist garages, in addition to your dealer who can of course take care of your car.
In addition, standard services such as changing brake pads or tyres, or any routine maintenance that does not involve working on the electrical system, can be carried out by any mechanic.
Ensuring your electric vehicle is properly maintained
As you can see, the maintenance of an electric vehicle is different from that of a combustion engine car, and involves finding an approved professional to work on the electrical system.
The differences with a combustion car can also be used for maintenance simpler and cheaperThis is because your vehicle has far fewer parts and can wear out more slowly the ones it does keep, such as the braking system.
La battery also needs to be well maintainedIt is recommended that you park your car indoors, paying particular attention to its temperature and its load.
As for the rest, the maintenance of an electric vehicle is, all in all, very simple. is fairly standard and looks like that of any other vehicle.. It's your responsibility to check tyre pressure and windscreen washer fluid levels regularly, to change worn wiper blades and to clean your car regularly to prevent corrosion, which could damage it.
Washing your electric car
How do you prepare for washing your electric vehicle?
You can drive an electric car in the rain or wash it without fear of electrocution, even if your science teacher has taught you otherwise!
You can travel with peace of mind and enjoy your clean electric car in good condition if you follow a few basic rules:
- Do not clean your car while it is charging.
- Deactivate all automatic components that are not essential to the operation of your vehicle, such as the windscreen wipers.
- Avoid any water around the engine and batteries, which are usually located underneath the vehicle.
- Do not wash the charging point with water, as this could cause short circuits...
Comparison of car wash methods
Washing an electric vehicle does not require any special facilities compared with a combustion engine car. Before washing your car using one of the techniques listed below, it is important to refer to the manufacturer's user manual. Some manufacturers recommend washing techniques or give advice specific to the model and more details on where the batteries are located.
Tunnel cleaning: a new, quick and easy method
During tunnel cleaning, your vehicle goes through a succession of stages and machines. You should therefore leave your car switched on, in the "N" (neutral) position, make sure it has enough battery power, do not engage the handbrake, deactivate all automatic aids that are not essential to the operation of the vehicle and do not forget the rear-view mirrors. If you have a fold-down or detachable aerial, don't forget to remove it.
Note: Before having your car washed in a tunnel, make sure that the programme does not include washing the chassis and underbody using high-pressure jets. This is highly inadvisable for an electric car, as this is often where the batteries are located.
Gantry cleaning - let the machine do the work for you!
Very similar to the tunnel wash, our advice will therefore be identical in terms of the aerial, automatic functions, mirrors and programme selected. Unlike the tunnel wash, however, you'll need to stop the engine, put on the handbrake and get out of your vehicle.
High-pressure cleaning, beware of the water jet...
High-pressure washing is practical, economical and fast, and is one of the most popular car washes for drivers who wash their vehicles regularly. When you have an electric vehicle, it's important to ensure that the water is only applied to parts that do not contain electrical components, such as the underbody, the engine or the connector. After each high-pressure wash, drying the vehicle with a microfibre cloth or chamois will reduce the risk of water seeping in or stagnating and damaging the car's system. This drying technique will give the car a shine that's always a pleasure to admire!
Hand washing with little or no water, THE environmentally-friendly solution
Yes, you read that right! It's now possible to wash a car with little (max 10 litres of water for a complete cleaning) or no water at all (I assure you) in an environmentally-friendly way, using biodegradable products. This is the technique we recommend, of course. There's no risk of short circuits, and you're guaranteed to find your car looking just like it left the dealership!
What's more, you don't have to worry about a thing, whether you're at home, at the office or in a fixed centre, all you have to do is entrust your keys to a washer. Car washing will no longer be a hassle or another task on your to-do list!
Now that you know all about the different washing techniques, all you have to do is choose.
To simplify the task and find the station or washer near you, WashMee is the reference in the field. Find out, compare, select the carwash of your choice and book in just a few clicks.
Our Beev experts will propose a package tailored to your needs and your projects.
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