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The maintenance and safety requirements for electric cars are much simpler than that of petrol or hybrid vehicles. Electric cars are built with an electrical system consisting of a battery and motor, which require little to almost no maintenance between annual services. The brake system also needs less upkeep due to the functions of regenerative braking, like that in the Vauxhall Corsa-e.

However, there are still some checks that should be made regularly to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive and is able to withstand long journeys.

Inflate your tyres

As with any vehicle, you should always check the pressure of your tyres before a lengthy journey or swap them over to a new set. Not only will this improve safety whilst driving, but it will also improve the efficiency of the car – reducing the running costs and the car’s impact on the environment over time. It is highly recommended that the tread depth of tyres be at least 1.6mm and make certain there are no cuts or bulges in the walls of the tyres.

Charge the battery

When setting off for your journey, the battery doesn’t need to be topped up to 100% but try to charge for as long as possible so you can have peace of mind whilst driving. Stopping off to charge your vehicle multiple times can add time to your already laborious trip and increase your chances of getting caught in rush hour traffic. If you manage to get to 20% capacity, you’ll want to try and find a rapid charger – try to plan ahead for this and find charging points along the route you’re taking. Frequent use of fast charges isn’t advised because heat and direct current can gradually and slowly degrade the battery and reduce capacity.

Top up fluid levels

Like us, cars need to be kept well-hydrated before long journeys and electric vehicles only require three essential fluids, which ought to be topped up on a regular basis. As with most other vehicles, the brake and windshield washer fluids need to be checked and filled to the designated minimum and maximum levels marked. More importantly, you must always check the coolant level in the car’s battery. Without this, there is a high chance of the lithium-ion battery overheating and catching fire.

Test the brakes

Electric cars are typically lighter on the braking system as regenerative braking utilises the resistance from the motor to help slow the vehicle down. Still, these batteries are heavier than other cars and so the brakes can at times work harder. It’s worth testing your brakes before a long journey so you know they are responding as expected, especially if the weather is poor or the tempe

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