Owning an electric car in Australia: servicing, charging and what changes

An electric car has far fewer moving parts than a petrol one: no oil changes, no exhaust, no clutch or timing belt. It still needs servicing, and some of the things that go wrong need a workshop set up for high-voltage work. This guide covers what changes, what stays the same, and how to find help.

What still needs servicing

• Tyres. Electric cars are heavy and deliver torque instantly, so tyres wear faster than most owners expect. Rotation and alignment matter more, not less.
• Brakes. Regenerative braking means the pads last a long time, but the fluid still ages and calipers can seize from lack of use. They need checking on schedule.
• Cabin filter and air conditioning. The same as any car, and on many EVs the air conditioning system also cools the battery, so keeping it healthy matters.
• Coolant. Battery and motor cooling loops have service intervals set by the manufacturer.
• Twelve-volt battery. Almost every EV still has one, and it is the most common reason an EV will not "wake up".

Choosing a workshop

High-voltage systems can injure an untrained technician, so look for a workshop that advertises EV or hybrid training and has the insulated tools and safety equipment to isolate the battery. The EV specialists and charging category lists workshops that work on electric and hybrid vehicles. For a car under warranty, follow the manufacturer's schedule and keep every invoice; an independent specialist can do the work as long as it meets the specification.

Ask whether they can read the battery's state of health. A report showing how the pack has aged is useful for your own peace of mind and essential if you ever sell the car privately.

Charging at home

Most owners do most of their charging at home. A standard power point will work slowly; a dedicated wall charger on its own circuit is faster and safer, and must be installed by a licensed electrician. Points to confirm before you book:

• Whether your switchboard has capacity for the extra circuit, or needs an upgrade.
• Where the charger will mount relative to the car's charge port, and the cable length you need.
• Whether the charger supports scheduling, so you can charge on cheaper overnight electricity or from solar during the day.
• For apartments and strata, what approvals the body corporate needs. Allow time for this.

Charging away from home

Public fast chargers are concentrated along highways and in larger centres. Plan longer trips around them, check the charger's live status in its network app before you rely on it, and carry the cable for the slower AC chargers found in car parks. Charging speed slows as the battery fills; stopping twice at a lower state of charge is often faster than one long stop.

Accidents and insurance

Not every panel shop is set up to repair a car with a high-voltage battery underneath it. If you need smash repairs, ask the repairer whether they are approved for your make or have EV training, and tell your insurer the car is electric when you make the claim.