Why You Should Consider Purchasing an Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles—vehicles with 1 or more electric motors, a 1-speed transmission, and a large, rechargeable battery pack—have been the big news in the automotive world for several years and still are. Their appeal is expanding as automakers increase their range, power, utility, and style.

Nearly every major automaker is now producing EVs or will in the near future—sometimes on an ambitious scale. Nearly 2 dozen EVs are for sale in the U.S. now, and at least 50 more are expected in the next 5 years—everything from sports cars to pickups.

Although they currently make up only about 2% of passenger vehicles, EVs are no longer considered a niche market. Over the next 5 years, EV sales are projected to surpass the 1.4 million sold since 2010, according to the online Charged Electric Vehicles Magazine.

EVs have many inherent advantages, one of which is reduced maintenance. Why should this be so? Because EVs contain only about one-third of a gasoline-powered vehicle’s parts, there are fewer things that require service, wear out, and need replacement.

For example, with an EV you can forget about performing oil and filter changes; replacing timing belts, hoses, exhaust systems, and spark plugs; and servicing fuel injectors and catalytic converters.

Below are maintenance schedules for a Ford Mustang Mach-E and a gasoline-powered Mustang.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Maintenance Schedule

Photo courtesy Ford Motor Co.

Every 12 Months or 10,000 Miles

Rotate and inspect tires; measure tread depth.
Perform multipoint inspection: Inspect the 12-volt battery, fluid levels and leaks, half-shaft dust boots, exterior lights, suspension and steering components, and tire pressure and wear.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses, and parking brake.
Inspect cooling level, coolant strength, and hoses.
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, and tie-rod ends.
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness, or drag.

Every 20,000 Miles

Replace the cabin air filter.

Every 3 Years

Change the brake fluid.

At 10 Years or 150,000 Miles

Change the transmission fluid.

At 200,000 miles

Change the coolant.

Monthly and 6-month checks

The function of all exterior lights, proper tire pressure and wear, windshield-washer fluid level, cooling-system fluid level and strength, parking-brake operation, and 12-volt battery connections.

Ford Mustang (ICE) Maintenance Schedule

Photo courtesy Ford Motor Co.

Every 5,000 to 10,000 miles (depending on vehicle use and driving conditions)

Change engine oil and filter.
Rotate and inspect tires, measure tread depth.
Perform multipoint inspection: Inspect drive belts, 12-volt battery, exhaust system and heat shields, engine air filter, fluid levels, automatic transmission fluid, exterior lights, tire pressure and wear, and radiator, cooler, heater, and air-conditioning hoses.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, hoses, and parking brake.
Inspect driveshaft, rear axle, and U-joints.
Inspect half-shaft boots.
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, and tie-rod ends.
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness, or drag.