EV maintenance: 5 key considerations for your electric fleet
As bans on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles draw ever closer and sustainability targets tighten, electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on fleet rosters.
Although EVs typically carry a higher upfront price tag than petrol or diesel counterparts, their total cost of ownership can often be lower – particularly when it comes to maintenance. With around 2,000 moving parts in a traditional ICE vehicle versus just 20 in an EV, there’s far less to go wrong, making servicing simpler and often cheaper.
That said, EV maintenance is not without its complexities. From battery health to downtime management, fleet managers still face unique challenges in keeping electric fleets road-ready and cost-effective.
Here, we explore five key considerations to ensure your EV fleet stays efficient, safe and sustainable.
1. Looking after battery health
EV batteries are the most valuable – and costly – component of an electric vehicle, far exceeding the replacement cost of an ICE engine. That’s why proactive battery care is essential, not only to protect performance but also to keep long-term costs under control.
For fleet managers, this means paying close attention to how vehicles are charged and used.
Leaving an EV on charge after it’s full can accelerate degradation, while frequent reliance on DC rapid charging may be convenient but can shorten battery life if used excessively. Extreme heat or cold also takes its toll, making temperature management part of effective maintenance.
Harnessing analytics via smart tools can help. Battery management systems and telematics provide real-time insights into charging patterns, temperatures and state of health, enabling managers to optimise routes, identify issues early and build preventative maintenance into fleet strategy.
2. Do essential updates
From optimising battery performance to unlocking new driver-assist features, regular software updates are key to keeping vehicles safe and roadworthy.
Updates can recalibrate range estimates, refine charging speed and efficiency, or improve thermal management systems to protect battery health. They can also add or enhance safety features such as lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control or collision-avoidance alerts.
Many manufacturers now deliver improvements over-the-air (OTA), meaning updates can be installed remotely without taking vehicles off the road. For fleet managers, however, it’s important to have processes in place to track and manage these updates across the fleet.
3. Managing tyre wear and tear
Due to their large batteries, EVs are much heavier than a typical ICE vehicle and its engine. This, along with faster acceleration, means EV tyres can wear out between 20 and 50 per cent faster than conventional ones.
For fleets, ignoring EV tyre health can have severe consequences. Worn tyres can result in reduced grip, longer braking distances and higher risk of blowouts – all of which put drivers and business operations at risk. More frequent tyre replacements will also add more to the maintenance bill.
Proactive monitoring is key. Make tyre checks part of a driver’s daily routine, including measuring tread depth, checking pressures and looking out for cuts, bulges or uneven wear that could signal alignment or suspension problems.
Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can also provide fleet managers with an overview of the tyre pressures across all of their vehicles.
4. Keep your chargers in shape
A well-planned charging strategy isn’t just about keeping vehicles powered – it’s also a vital part of maintenance. Effective charging infrastructure is the backbone of an EV fleet, and if it fails, vehicles can quickly be taken out of service.
Regular inspections of on-site charging points, cables and connectors can help prevent faults or overheating that could lead to downtime.
Keeping equipment clean and dry also reduces the risk of poor connections and corrosion, while scheduled servicing and firmware updates ensure chargers operate safely and efficiently.
5. Put your EV in expert hands
When it comes to getting your electric vehicles serviced, always book in with an EV specialist.
While some elements of a regular service stay the same, the unique components of an EV mean additional tests need to be done which require the tools and knowledge of a seasoned EV professional.
Unlike ICE servicing, where mistakes might mean replacing a part or extending downtime, the stakes with EVs are much higher. An untrained technician working on a high-voltage system risks not only damaging the vehicle which can lead to lengthy downtime, but also serious injury or death.
Smarter maintenance for a stronger EV fleet
Just as with traditional ICE fleets, strong maintenance practices are the backbone of keeping EVs running at their best. The difference is that electric fleets bring unique challenges and considerations that require a slightly different approach.
By recognising these differences and embedding proactive maintenance into everyday operations, fleet managers can keep vehicles on the road for longer, safeguard drivers and extend the lifespan of their vehicles.