EV maintenance: what an electric car still needs.
An electric vehicle skips the oil change and a long list of engine parts. What remains is shorter, and it matters just as much.
By the Aperio service team · Updated 26 September 2026
Heavy and quick: tires do the hard work.
EVs are typically heavier than comparable gas cars and deliver their torque instantly, and both are hard on tires. Regular rotations even out the wear, and correct pressures matter for grip and for range.
Many EVs leave the factory on tires chosen for their weight and for low rolling resistance. When it is time to replace them, match the size and specification your manufacturer lists.
Used less, so they need looking at more.
Regenerative braking does much of the slowing down, so the pads and rotors can go unused for long stretches. Instead of wearing out they can corrode or stick, which is why brake inspections still matter on an EV.
An inspection at every visit checks the pads, rotors, calipers and brake fluid, and catches corrosion before it turns into a noise or a repair.
The small battery behind most dead-EV mornings.
Besides the big high-voltage pack, most EVs have a conventional 12V battery that powers the computers, locks and lights and wakes the car up. When it weakens, the car may not start even with a full charge.
Cold and heat both shorten its life. The plan includes a 12V battery health check, so a weak one shows up in your report before it strands you.
Filters, fluids and the high-voltage system.
- Cabin air filter: once a year, or when it is dirty.
- Fluids where needed: brake fluid, washer fluid and, on many EVs, coolant for the battery and electronics.
- Wipers, lights and the full safety check.
- Seasonal tire swap, on rims, where winters call for it.
The high-voltage battery and drive unit follow the manufacturer's own schedule, warranty and recalls. We track recalls for your vehicle; work on the high-voltage system belongs with the manufacturer's network.
About EV maintenance.
Does an EV need oil changes?
No. An electric vehicle has no engine oil. Some EVs have a fluid in the gear reduction unit; your manufacturer's schedule says whether it ever needs changing.
Do EV tires wear faster?
They can. Extra weight and instant torque are hard on tires, which is why regular rotations and correct pressures matter so much on an EV.
What does the plan cost for an EV?
The same $199 a year per vehicle, plus the $20 mobile service fee per visit.
