Servicing hybrid cars and electric vehicles
The number of electric cars has indeed increased significantly compared to 2-3 years ago. Consequently, these vehicles are quite new and are still under warranty. However, they will soon require repairs and maintenance. Work at the most advanced service stations is already being reorganized. In the EuroAuto network, several enterprises are already working with a complete list of the most in-demand services for hybrids and electric vehicles.
So, while earlier only the simplest jobs were being done on electric vehicles in the network—such as suspension repairs, brake pad replacements, and maintenance—now these will be comprehensive services:
The average price at EuroAuto may vary depending on the model of the car.
The list of the most common models; EuroAuto services others as well—please consult the network staff for details.
These are completely new services. To launch them, network specialists have undergone training in Belarus, St. Petersburg, and now they are conducting courses themselves. We approached this issue responsibly, studied the experiences of various educational institutions and the professional community. The current list covers almost all specific works related to electric vehicles.
What are the challenges of servicing electric cars?
Different models of traditional cars with internal combustion engines have a similar structure. The mechanical device of the unit is well-known to today's generation of service station specialists. When they were born, the design already existed, but the electric motor is something new. It operates on completely different principles. If a traditional engine generates energy by burning fuel, which is then converted into rotational motion, and from this torque, the transmission delivers it to the wheels, in an electric motor, everything is different. Its operation is based on a chemical process that generates electrical energy for power. This is fundamentally a different device.
Moreover, the electric motor itself has a different efficiency. A different approach is required for repairing the power unit, along with skills and knowledge:
“To even approach an electric vehicle, a mechanic must have the appropriate electric safety clearance. This was the starting point for training our specialists at the courses. In our case, a 3rd category in electrical safety is required, up to 1,000 volts. Certain protective equipment, tools, and diagnostic equipment are necessary. It is impossible to start repairing electric vehicles with the previous set of infrastructure and knowledge. Charging stations are needed at service stations; we have purchased technical tools to launch new services, and staff underwent several training stages in Minsk and Russia. Now, some of them are already training the network's specialists and partners in working with the power unit,” shared Mikhail Petrov, the director of the EuroAuto franchising network.
Is it easy to repair hybrid and electric vehicles?
In some sense, electric vehicles are simpler to service. Often when selling, you are told that the electric car's setup is elementary: no engine—no problems. Indeed, modern motors differ from those that were around 20-40 years ago. They contain complex unique, science-intensive mechanisms. Electric vehicles are structurally simpler. Therefore, they will be easier to service when the process at service stations is established.
“From an engineer's perspective, this is true. The simpler the mechanism, the fewer parts it has, the more reliable it is—that's logical,” noted Mikhail Petrov.
Maintenance frequency for electric vehicles
If owners of conventional cars undergo maintenance on average every 7,500 - 10,000 km, what should electric car owners do? At a minimum, they don't need to come in for oil changes as frequently. Regarding frequency, it is primarily necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, but a general pattern can also be identified.
Electric vehicles are easier to maintain not only because of the engine but also due to the brake discs and pads. Their regenerative braking system transfers electricity generated during braking for reuse. When idling, the wheels charge the battery thanks to this system. When a driver brakes in a conventional car, they release the pedal and roll for a while. In an electric car, this braking effect is provided by the regenerative energy recovery system. Thus, the driver presses the brake less frequently, and the pads wear out more slowly.
Electric vehicles have a maintenance frequency that is less than that of conventional cars. On average, manufacturers recommend performing maintenance every 40,000 km. In harsh urban conditions, like those we live in, this figure should be halved. Hence, visits to the service station should be every 20,000 km.
How often should a hybrid vehicle be serviced?
Determining the frequency of maintenance for a hybrid is more difficult. If it is constantly charged and driven on electric power, the engine hardly starts. So why service it every 10,000 km?
The exact information on when it's time to visit the service station is available to any hybrid owner. These cars have a counter that records how much the vehicle drives on electric power versus how much the generator is running. It notifies the owner when maintenance is due. Finally, cars have become smart enough to notify themselves when they need to go for servicing! This is an individual value, and thus, we cannot recommend a specific interval.
The future of electric vehicle repair
As the market for hybrids and electric vehicles continues to develop and integrate into our daily lives, new services will begin to be offered at other stations within the network. Many employees are already preparing and completing courses at the EuroAuto Academy. This is conducted systematically for network workers and partners, while more experienced colleagues are already performing the jobs.
Sign up for EuroAuto service stations through contact center operators or via messenger. If you didn't find the services you were interested in, feel free to write or call the network specialists, and they will provide you with more precise information!