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.
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.
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.
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.
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.