How much does an electric car service cost?
EV servicing costs explained
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If you’re wondering how much it costs to service an electric car, you’ve come to the right place.
Contrary to popular belief, electric cars don’t incur the same costs or checks as a petrol or diesel car when it comes to a service, so there are some important differences to be aware of.
Electric car servicing cost breakdown
At cinch, we will service your EV to keep it in tip-top condition, and there are two different services to pick.
First is the standard EV service at £159.95, and second is the full EV service at £214.95.
A standard EV service is the most basic level we offer, and is suitable for most electric cars, but if you want the full works, we offer the full EV service for £55 more.
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Does electric car servicing cost more than petrol and diesel?
For a full ICE or EV service, we charge the same amount at £214.95. But if you’re not opting for this option, then prices do vary.
Petrol, diesel or hybrid service costs:
Oil and filter change: £129.95
Standard service: £159.95
Full service: £214.95
EV service costs:
Standard EV service: £159.95
Full EV service: £214.95
What’s included with an EV service?
An EV service includes a lot of checks, all of which are listed below:
Included in a standard EV service:
Check battery condition
Add screen wash and top-up fluids (excludes anti-freeze)
Lubricate door locks
Check seatbelt operation and condition
Check operation and condition of locks
Check power steering fluid level
Check visible drive belts
Check electric housing cover/cap
Visually check cooling system for leaks
Check for body defects
Check operation of lights
Check the horn is functional
Check all mirrors
Check washers and wipers
Check the operation of the handbrake
Remove all wheels, lubricate hub, refit and retorque
Report on all tyre depths
Inspect all tyre set pressures
Check front brake pads and discs
Check suspension dampers
Check brake lining wear and tear
Check brake wheel cylinders
Check brake pipes and hoses
Steering safety check
Check rear brake pads and discs/shoes (via inspection hole)
Check brake pipes & lines
Fit new sump plug washer (if applicable)
Fit new cabin/pollen filter
Vehicle inspection test and report (EVHC)
Checks for vehicle and software enhancements
Diagnostic checks, including report
BEV inspection – cable condition, charging socket function, coolant/antifreeze checks of HV system (charge if less than 25% battery)
Brakes
Steering
Suspension
Heating system
Abnormal noises or issues
Check warning lights
Included in a full EV service (incl. all the above):
Check aircon system
Visual inspection of high voltage (HV) components and cables; check charging status of HV battery
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What don’t you get in an EV service?
You get everything you should get in an EV service, but there are a few things you don’t get, which are specific to petrol/diesel/hybrid cars.
These include servicing the ‘oily bits’ like engine oil and filters, spark plugs, drive belts, exhaust system checks, as well as gearbox and clutch checks.
How is it different from petrol and diesel servicing?
While petrol and diesel engines rely on thousands of moving parts that create friction and heat, an electric motor is remarkably simple.
Consequently, the ‘dirty’ work – draining oil, replacing spark plugs, or fixing exhaust systems is completely eliminated.
However, the technicians need to be more specialised. They require high-voltage certification and insulated tools to safely handle 400V+ systems.
Instead of physical tinkering, they perform ‘digital health checks’, using special software to monitor the battery’s State of Health (SoH) and the motor's thermal management.
How to keep electric car servicing and maintenance costs down
There are several ways you can keep your electric car servicing costs down. Here are our top tips:
Drive smoothly to save your tyres
Tyres are the most frequent expense for EV owners. Because EVs have instant torque and are heavier due to the battery, aggressive starts can wear out the rubber 20% faster than on a petrol car.
So, make sure you are gentle with your right foot, and your wallet will thank you.
Make the most of regenerative braking
Most EVs allow you to slow the car down just by lifting your foot off the accelerator. This is called regenerative braking, and it uses the motor to slow the car while recharging the battery.
There are usually a few different strengths. Use whichever one feels most natural and make the most of it. You’ll be amazed at how little you need to use the brakes (unless you have to stop immediately).
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But also use your brakes
Don’t ignore what we said above about regenerative braking, because this is a great way to save your brake pads.
But do make sure to use your brakes too. If you don’t use the brakes enough, surface rust can form on the calipers and can lead to the brakes seizing.
To avoid this, and when it’s safe to do so, perform an emergency stop to clear away some of this rust.
Stick to the 20-80% charging rule
One of the most common ways to extend the life of your EV is to charge it correctly.
There’s no right or wrong way to charge your car, but if you want to keep the battery health in great condition for as long as possible, keeping it between 20% and 80% is the golden rule.
Never skip a service
Even though there are no oil changes needed, booking your car in for an annual cinch service is vital for your car’s brain.
We’ll make sure it’s kept in the best possible shape for many more miles to come.
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Book electric car servicing
At cinch, we offer a dedicated electric car service, starting at just £159.95.
All our EV services include a full diagnostics and software update(s) (if applicable), an EV inspection (high-voltage components, cables, socket, battery charging status) and other essential car health checks.
Book your electric car in for a service with us today to keep it working in tip-top condition.