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Does switching to an electric vehicle also change the way you maintain it?
There’s a lot of talk about the electric shift in showrooms. New silhouettes, impressive ranges, charging stations popping up everywhere. But once you’ve signed the papers and your EV has been sitting in your driveway for a few months, one question always comes up:
When it makes a strange noise, when a warning light comes on, or when the battery isn’t behaving the way it used to — what exactly happens at your dealership’s service department?
The short answer: a lot has changed. And it’s important to know that, whether you’re an EV owner or someone who works at a dealership.
An electric vehicle really is maintained differently
The first reaction from many EV owners: “No oil changes, so fewer service visits!” That’s partly true. But what’s often forgotten is that maintaining an electric vehicle comes with its own set of very different checks.
Here’s what remains — or becomes — essential:
- Brakes: EVs use regenerative braking, which reduces brake pad wear. But precisely because they’re used less, brakes can corrode more quickly. A paradox worth watching.
- Tires: An EV is often heavier than an equivalent gas-powered vehicle, due to the weight of the batteries. Tire wear is therefore faster, making rotations more important.
- Battery cooling system fluid: The high-voltage battery has its own cooling circuit, which needs to be checked regularly.
- Brake fluid: Contrary to what you might think, it still absorbs moisture over time and needs to be changed periodically.
- Software updates: Your EV is also a rolling computer. Regular updates are needed to optimize performance and fix anomalies.
- High-voltage battery: Its state of health must be assessed periodically. It’s the heart of the vehicle and its most expensive component.
What this means for the dealership service department
On the dealership side, the electric shift represents a major investment — and not just in inventory vehicles. The service department must adapt from the ground up.
Specialized technician training
Working on an EV is not the same as working on a gas-powered vehicle. High-voltage components can be dangerous if handled improperly. Technicians must complete EV-specific certified training, which varies by manufacturer. This is a significant investment in time and money for dealerships.
Very different equipment
Traditional tools are no longer enough. Shops must invest in specialized diagnostic systems, lifts adapted to the weight and configuration of EVs, and safety equipment for working on high-voltage systems.
A new kind of client communication
EV owners often ask very specific questions: about range, battery degradation, software updates, and warranties on electrical components. Service advisors must be able to answer clearly and confidently. This is a new relational expertise added on top of technical expertise.
What you need to know as an EV owner
If you own an electric vehicle — or are thinking about getting one — here are a few habits to adopt for a smooth relationship with your service department:
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, even without oil changes. It exists for a good reason.
- Ask your service advisor questions. A good department will be able to explain what was checked and why.
- Don’t ignore dashboard warning lights and alerts. On an EV, a software anomaly can sometimes look like a simple glitch, but it always warrants a check.
- Find out about your high-voltage battery warranty. Most manufacturers offer a separate warranty on this component, often 8 years or 160,000 km.
Service: the new trust-building ground in the automotive industry
As more and more Quebecers make the leap to electric, the quality of after-sales service is becoming an even more decisive factor in customer loyalty.
A client who feels well supported at the service department — who understands what’s being done on their vehicle and why — is a client who comes back and refers others. On the other hand, a client who feels lost in a technical world they don’t understand will go looking for answers elsewhere.
The transition to electric is as much an opportunity to build a lasting relationship of trust with your customers as it is a technical challenge to overcome.
Are you a service director whose department lacks the structure to retain your EV customers?
Automated client follow-ups, appointment confirmations by text, maintenance reminder campaigns, communication materials tailored to your electric clientele — these are exactly the tools we put in place at Drive for service departments that want to perform without overburdening their team.
Because a well-supported EV client is a client who comes back. And a department that communicates well is a department that stands out.
Let’s take 30 minutes to look at what could work for you. Book your free call here.
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