THE FUTURE'S ELECTRIC
Your friendly Bristol Street Motors technicians have the specialist EV training and equipment
to keep your Electric Vehicle or Hybrid running smoothly and safely.
Specialist care for electric vehicles
Battery Electric Vehicles, known as BEVs or EVs, have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel cars. Instead of pistons and gears they have electric motors that require no regular maintenance. So there's no oil and filter changes to budget for and no exhaust emissions to check at MOT time. That's good news, as it means they're cheaper to maintain*
But an EV still needs regular servicing. Brakes can wear and brake fluid needs to be changed periodically. Tyres, lights and suspension components need to be checked. Pollen filters for the heating and ventilation system need to be replaced. Some EVs also use coolant to keep the battery in the right operating temperature, and that system needs to be checked by qualified technicians.
Your EV will have a service schedule that should be followed to ensure that it's safe and running correctly. Keeping it serviced will maintain your warranty cover and ensure your EV stays in peak condition.
* A study by Go Ultra Low found service and maintenance costs can be up to 23 percent lower for electric cars over a typical three-year, 60,000-mile ownership period.
Servicing hybrids and plug-in hybrids
Hybrid vehicles (HEVs) use electric motors to supplement the output of a petrol or diesel engine. In the case of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), most can also drive for 25-30 miles or more in silent EV mode alone (ample for short commutes and journeys). Like conventional petrol and diesel cars, hybrids have service schedules to maintain the vehicle's safety and warranty cover. The battery and electric motor are generally maintenance free, but still need specialised training and equipment to check them over.
Keeping up with the times
Many modern devices often require updates from time to time. Your electric vehicle is no different.
Most manufacturers provide updates to help keep your car's electrical systems updated. This helps ensure your EV continues to perform efficiently. Our highly trained technicians will check all electronics are in working correctly. All so you can continue to enjoy your EV for as long as possible.
Why choose Bristol Street Motors?
An EV's electric motors operate on a high voltage - some as high as 800V. This calls for specialised training and a separate area within the workshop where the vehicle's systems can be worked on safely, using the manufacturer's own diagnostic equipment. If you bring your EV to Bristol Street Motors, you can be sure it will be correctly and safely serviced.
Want to know more about servicing your Electric Vehicle or Hybrid? Follow the links to book a service or chat to one of our service advisors.
Servicing electric and hybrid vehicles - FAQs
How often does my EV need servicing?
Many EVs have longer service intervals that conventional petrol or diesel cars, but you should always check with the manufacturer's recommended intervals. If in doubt, give the service team at your local Bristol Street Motors a call.
Do electric vehicles still have to pass the MOT test?
The MOT checks safety-critical areas like brakes, tyres and lights, so the answer is yes - EVs must pass an MOT test after three years and every year thereafter. Obviously, there are no exhaust emissions to check! Hybrids and plug-in hybrids also must have an annual MOT check once they're 3 years old.
Can other workshops service and repair electric vehicles?
Electric vehicles have a high voltage circuit that should only be checked by a qualified technician, working in a separate earthed area. At Bristol Street Motors our EV-trained technicians have a minimum EV Intermediate qualification from the Institute of the Motor Industry or its equivalent from the vehicle manufacturer. We also use the manufacturer's own diagnostic equipment. All cars, not just EVs, depend more and more on their software so having the right tools and training are more important than ever.
How long does an EV battery last?
Typically, the battery of an EV is guaranteed for 8 years or 100,000 miles - but check with us for your vehicle's specific guarantee terms. In reality, EV batteries will continue to give good service long after that - according to EDF, the current thinking is that batteries will last between 10-20 years before they need replacing. Over time, the battery performance does deteriorate a little - so when we service your EV we'll give you a full printout of the condition of your battery. That also applies to our used EV sales.
My electric vehicle's range has dropped recently - is this a battery fault?
Your EV's internal software will estimate your range based on several factors. Cold weather is the main cause of reduced range - it affects the battery output, and you're likely to be using the car's aircon more too. So don't worry if the range seems lower than usual in winter. If the issue gets worse, we'll be happy to check our your battery condition and provide a full printout.