Are you excited by the benefits of electric cars, but feeling uncertain about what it takes to maintain one? If you're like many Halifax-area drivers, you want to be certain that electric cars are reliable before you make the switch from gas to electric.

The good news is that electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-e offer benefits that go well beyond the reduced fuel costs. EVs don't have an engine block, so they lack hundreds of parts that require upkeep in a gas-powered car. Instead, they use only a battery, a transmission, and a motor.

Take a moment to read more about electric car reliability with MacPhee Ford, and don't hesitate to get in touch if there's anything else you'd like to know before investing in a new EV!

Gas vs. Electric Vehicle Maintenance Costs

Having fewer parts is one reason that electric cars are reliable, but it's also why they're less expensive to maintain. With fewer parts to wear out and require repair or replacement, your EV will be spending less time at your local Bedford auto shop. You'll only need to prepare for a higher repair cost when it's time to replace the battery, which should last about 12 years. In fact, the Yale Climate Connection determined that electric cars cost 40% less to maintain than gas-powered cars overall.

As an EV owner, you'll no longer need to worry about:

• Oil changes
• Gasket replacements
• Belt replacements
• Spark plugs
• Cooling system flushes
• Engine air filters
• And so much more!

Plus, EV brakes often last longer than the brakes on gas-powered cars because of regenerative braking technology. This innovative system slows the car while reducing the work performed by the braking system.

How to Maintain Your New EV

Proper maintenance is the best way to maximize electric car reliability. Your EV's recommended service schedule will look quite a bit different from that of a gas-powered vehicle, so be sure to carefully review your owner's manual. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Your EV battery's capacity will shrink over time no matter what, but you can slow that process with proper battery maintenance. Avoid driving on a low battery charge, which will reduce your battery's capacity the fastest.
• Large EV batteries are very heavy, so EVs weigh more than gas vehicles. This puts more pressure on the tires, which will wear down more quickly than the tires on a gasoline car. The instant torque generated by an EV battery contributes to tire tread wear, too.
• You will need to replace coolant, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluids more often.
• Keep up with software updates to ensure your EV is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Learn More About Electric Car Reliability

If you're thinking that an electric car could be reliable enough for your commute from Sackville, let us know when you'd like to stop by for a test drive! Our team is happy to answer your questions about installing a home charging system and where to find EV charging stations in Nova Scotia. Visit our showroom in Dartmouth or give us a call today at 902-434-7700.