As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly prevalent on Malaysian roads, EV owners must understand the unique maintenance needs of these advanced vehicles. While EVs generally require less maintenance compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, a regular maintenance routine is still essential to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and safety. In this guide, we’ll outline a comprehensive EV maintenance checklist to help you keep your electric vehicle in top condition.
We’ll cover what parts of your electric cars need maintenance, how often they should be maintained, along with the potential maintenance costs involved.
1. EV Battery Care & Charger Maintenance
Your electric car’s high-voltage battery pack is perhaps the most essential component of your entire vehicle. The battery is the power source of your EV, and maintaining it is crucial for the vehicle’s longevity and performance. You should regularly monitor the battery health status through your car’s onboard diagnostics and if the driving range seems lower or drains faster than usual, bring it to a service center for maintenance.
Like other kinds of batteries, EV battery packs degrade and slowly begin to lose energy capacity, which lowers the driving range over time. But rest assured: the batteries for all our MG EV models have a warranty of 8 years or 180,000km, whichever comes first.
If you use your own EV charger at home, maintain it regularly by checking for damage or loose connections, and updating the software if required. If you use public charging stations, make sure they are compatible with your vehicle and select a charging mode appropriate for your charging needs.
Estimated Cost Without Warranty: Replacing a battery is usually the most significant expense in maintaining an EV. Keeping in mind that prices vary yearly according to currency exchange and raw material costs, an EV battery replacement can cost between RM30,000 and RM100,000 without a warranty.
However, most EV batteries last around 8-10 years before battery degradation sets in. Note that the battery will still be usable after this point, just with a slight compromise in range.
Here at MG, one of the owners’ benefits we offer is a battery warranty for all our EV models for eight years or 180,000km, whichever comes first. This comes with a 1-to-1 battery exchange should your vehicle battery health go below 70% during the warranty period, so you can rest assured and drive with peace of mind!
2. Maintain your brakes
Compared to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, which relies on friction between brake pads and rotors, EVs use regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor to slow down the vehicle. This means that the brake pads go through less friction and less wear and tear compared to those of traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles, making them last longer.
This means less maintenance and more cost savings, as you’ll only need to replace your EV brake pads once every five years.
Estimated Cost Without Warranty: The cost of replacing your brake pads may vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer and model, but generally starts from RM140.
3. Regular tyre rotations
Tyre maintenance is crucial for any vehicle, and EVs are no exception. Regularly rotate your tyres for even wear and to extend their lifespan, as this helps maintain good traction and improves overall driving efficiency. Keep an eye on the pressure of your tyres frequently and keep them inflated to the recommended levels to enhance performance and safety.
Estimated Cost Without Warranty: Approximately RM100-RM270 for tyre rotations, wheel alignment and balancing each time and around RM2,000-RM10,000 for tyre replacement, although prices will vary based on vehicle manufacturer and model
4. Fluids & Filters
An EV uses fewer kinds of fluids than ICE vehicles and does not use any oil, but these fluids still need to be topped up and replaced periodically. Do inspect your electric transmission fluid, coolant fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid to ensure they are at the appropriate levels, and look out for any leaks.
Cabin air filters and air conditioning filters keep the vehicle interior fresh, clean and dust-free, and they should be replaced periodically so they remain in working condition. Refer to your vehicle’s user manual for how often to do so.
Estimated Cost: The cost of replacing cabin air filters and air conditioning filters usually starts from RM270, with exact prices varying depending on vehicle manufacturer and model.
MG Periodic Maintenance Service & Inspection
If you want the best for your EV, leave it to us! We offer periodic maintenance services and our service centres guarantee an exceptional service check that adheres to MG’s high standards, so you can rest assured with confidence. Our services include maintenance of every single item discussed in this article, along with other specific services based on your vehicle model. Check out our Services page for a full list and to find out more!
By following this comprehensive maintenance routine, you can make sure your vehicle operates safely, efficiently, and reliably for years to come. What this does is not only maximise your EV’s performance and range but also contribute to the overall sustainability and longevity of your electric cars. Stay proactive in caring for what your EV needs and it will reward you with a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. If you’re interested in purchasing your own, browse our online showroom and get in touch with us for a test drive today!
