Electric Vehicles: What You Need to Know About Parts, Maintenance, and Upgrades
When you think of electric vehicles, cars powered by electricity instead of gasoline, with no tailpipe emissions and fewer moving parts than traditional engines. Also known as EVs, they’re changing how we drive—but not everything about them is simpler than your old gas car. The big difference? You’re not swapping oil or tuning a carburetor. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. EVs still need care—and some parts fail just like in any other vehicle.
The heart of any electric vehicle, a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors powered by a rechargeable battery pack. Also known as EV, it relies on a battery pack, the main energy storage unit that powers the motor and all onboard systems. Also known as traction battery, it can last 10–15 years, but heat, fast charging, and deep discharges wear it down faster. You won’t replace it every 30,000 miles like brake pads, but when it does, the cost isn’t cheap. Then there’s the onboard charger, the component that converts AC power from the grid into DC power to charge the battery. Also known as EV charger module, it can go bad, especially in older models, leaving you stuck without a full charge even when plugged in. And while EVs don’t have spark plugs or fuel pumps, they still need working brake pads, components that clamp down on rotors to slow the vehicle, often lasting longer due to regenerative braking. Also known as EV brake pads, they—just not as often. Regenerative braking reduces wear, but if you drive aggressively, they still need checking.
People think EVs are maintenance-free. That’s a myth. They still have tires, wipers, air filters, and suspension parts that wear out. A bent suspension? Still dangerous. Bad wipers? Still a safety risk. And if your battery starts losing range faster than it should, you need to know the signs before you’re stranded. The posts below cover exactly what you need to spot, when to act, and what parts actually matter in an EV—whether you’re driving a Tesla, a Nissan Leaf, or a newer Chevy Bolt. No theory. No hype. Just real-world advice from people who’ve dealt with the same issues.
