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How To Maintain Your Electric Vehicle

There is a greater push than ever across the globe to encourage people to go from gas guzzlers to electric cars. While there is a tremendous environmental benefit to electric vehicles, these EVs require upkeep. Manufacturers are designing these cars, SUVs, and vans with publishing guides and safety in mind to lure clientele from all different walks of life. Here are some tips to keep in mind as an electric car owner to make sure that your environmentally friendly ride can help you go green and stay green for years to come.

Be responsible with your battery.

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It may seem obvious, but battery life is key to a long-lasting run with your electric vehicle. It’s important to be able to plug-in hybrids at the end of the day when you’re done driving. However, you should also be aware of charging stations in your area, just in case you need a ChargePoint while you’re at work or running errands. A simple search like “EV charging stations in Albuquerque” can help you locate a spot for a charging session.

It’s important to remember that these vehicles have a limited number of charging cycles, or the number of times the battery can be charged and discharged. Be sure to check with your car dealer about warranties for batteries, as well as a recycling policy. Outside of warranty, it’s expected to be a significant expense to replace that technology for the coming years.

Remember, an electric vehicle is still a vehicle.

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Yes, driving an electric vehicle is great for helping fight climate change and reducing your carbon footprint, but it’s still a vehicle. While you may not need an oil separator catch can to handle regular maintenance for a gas-powered vehicle, attention still needs to be paid to the battery, motor, and associated electronics of an EV.

It’s important to consider a number of criteria across different manufacturers, along with the amenities that brands like Nissan and Tesla may have for EV drivers. Some hybrids have internal combustion engines, so having an oil separator is key to dealing with oil vapor even if you are able to get a charging station to do most of the work. However, this is still minimum scheduled maintenance compared to traditional automobiles.

Be sure to adhere to safety requirements.

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Electric vehicles must meet federal safety standards, completing rigorous testing before being allowed to be sold in the United States. While a neighborhood public EV may have to adhere to lesser regulations, they are limited to where they can be driven, usually being barred from driving on major roadways. Manufacturers design these EVs with insulated high-voltage lines and safety features that deactivate the electrical system when they detect a collision. These vehicles tend to respond to overcharge, vibration, and extreme temperatures to make sure that drivers are safe, but it’s important to have a personal connection to the safety requirements to be able to stay on the road for a long time.

Train yourself to handle emergencies.

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Electric vehicles are just as susceptible to emergencies as gasoline-powered vehicles, but putting out an electrical fire is quite different from traditional automobiles. Emergency response for electric-drive vehicles isn’t that far off from that of conventional vehicles. EVs and hybrids are designed with cutoff switches to isolate the battery and disable the electric system to prevent detonation in emergency circumstances. High-voltage power lines are clearly designated with orange coloring.

Manufacturers publish emergency response guides that offer training for emergency responders. This helps them deal with large capacity incidents across a common device. Investing in that safety training personally can help you as an EV driver deal with large volumes of issues with a vehicle safely to protect you and your passengers in a variety of situations.