Pure electric vehicles do not come with engines. However, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles do come with an internal combustion engine that acts more or less like a generator that kicks in the moment the battery pack of the EV goes out of juice.
We are getting sidetracked. Let’s get back to the topic.
Whether you own a pure electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, remember that although the number of moving parts in an EV is less, this type of vehicle also needs a bit of care from its owners. For instance, modern EV owners tend to use connected vehicle solutions for EVs in a bid to keep tabs on their EVs. However, that is not enough. As an EV owner, you’d also need to remember the following things.
The battery pack needs special care
The most important part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. At the same time, the most expensive part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. To put things into perspective, replacing the battery pack of an Electric Vehicle costs half of a new EV’s sticker price. For the best results, ensure that your EV is being tracked using a Vyncs real-time tracker for teen drivers that will not only let you track your vehicle but also keep teen drivers within the geozones that you have set. Furthermore, with the help of devices like a Vyncs OBD GPS tracker, you will also be able to gauge how much range your EV is giving you per charge. Please note that you should never let your EV’s battery pack overcharge. Furthermore, you should never let the battery pack of your EV reach below 20% regularly. Fail to follow this tip and you are automatically shortening the operational life of your EV’s battery pack.
Ensure the vehicle is parked at a safe and secured place
Although the battery packs of modern EVs come with dedicated Battery Management Systems as well as heating and cooling systems, excess ambient heat or sudden drops in ambient temperature can wreak havoc on the battery pack of an EV. This is the reason why, an EV owner should make sure that they are using connected vehicle solutions like a Vyncs vehicle tracking device in a bid to search a covered parking space. A covered parking space will keep your EV protected against the elements. Additionally, the battery pack of your EV will not get damaged due to drastic temperature changes.
Change the oil on time (applies to PHEVs)
It is no news that electric vehicles do not need oil changes since they do not have any internal combustion engines.
However, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles do come with an engine and an engine does need periodic oil changes. If you want to ensure that your plug-in hybrid electric vehicle remains operating as it should then change its engine oil on time.
Additionally, you can track your electric vehicle in a bid to gauge how fuel-efficient the vehicle is. You can also track the overall health of your PHEV by keeping tabs on the vehicle’s several systems such as its cooling system, HVAC system, etc.
Don’t forget to take care of the brakes
EVs come with regenerative braking but still rely heavily on traditional braking systems. Hence, it is natural for your EV to come equipped with EBD, ABS, brake lines, brake fluid reservoir, etc. And just like a normal vehicle, your EV would also need periodic brake oil changes, brake pad changes, and EBD/ABS module diagnostics. Don’t forget these preventative maintenance steps if you want to keep your EV operational for a long time. You can also install a real-time EV tracker in a bid to track your overall driving behavior so that you do not end up breaking your EV prematurely.
Electric vehicles are not entirely maintenance-free – remember this
Electric vehicles are not entirely maintenance free especially if you own a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Whether you own a pure electric, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, develop the habit of using an electric vehicle tracking device. These smart GPS tracker devices are capable of keeping tabs on your EV’s overall health. Additionally, an OBD GPS tracker device will also let you develop driving habits that would let you get more range out of your EV.