Electric vehicles (and EV batteries specifically) operate best in a relatively narrow temperature range and require a thermal management system to maintain efficient operation. Most thermal management systems use liquid coolant to warm and cool the battery.

These coolant systems need regular maintenance. EV technicians check for proper coolant levels, add coolant as needed, and detect leaks. A liquid leak can be devastating in an electric environment, so technicians must inspect and maintain these thermal management systems to ensure EV efficiency.

Electric Motors and Power Electronics

Electric motors, inverters, converters, onboard chargers, and other electronic systems are an essential part of every EV. Technicians must have a strong understanding of EV electrical systems and the tools used to care for these systems.

Insufficient maintenance can lead to problems like corrosion, reduced motor performance, and deterioration of the bearings. Like the battery, the motor relies on the thermal management system to maintain an optimal temperature. During routine inspections, EV technicians must check the motor’s thermal management system, its physical condition, electrical components, and more.

Charging Infrastructure

Every EV needs to be charged regularly. For businesses that operate many vehicles at once, it's important to have a reliable charging infrastructure to maintain commercial operations. Electrical connection failures, damaged charging cables, software failures, and even ventilation failures can cause problems ranging from charging interruptions to safety hazards.

Without a reliable charging system, vehicles may be rendered unusable even when they're mechanically sound. These charging systems need professional maintenance so they can charge as many vehicles as the business requires. EV techs are responsible for performing software updates, conducting regular inspections and tests, cleaning the equipment, and making repairs as needed.

Traditional Vehicle Systems Still Require Maintenance

EVs have many traditional vehicle components that need to be maintained, such as tires, brakes, lights, windshield wipers, cabin air filters, and other parts. Although regenerative braking can reduce necessary brake maintenance, every EV technician needs to be able to maintain these traditional systems. A well-run EV fleet will have a schedule for inspecting traditional vehicle systems.

EVs are inspected at regular intervals based on time or mileage. Components like tires, brakes, and windshield fluid are inspected during these maintenance activities. In addition to performing the mechanical maintenance, technicians must also be capable of documenting work done.

Managing Fleet Downtime and Total Cost of Ownership

Uptime matters in a commercial fleet. Maintaining the fleet can help keep vehicles operational and the business profitable. Teams that maintain EV fleets need clearly defined procedures to determine who works on what, and who is qualified to do which tasks.

EV fleets need a system for performing maintenance and vehicle diagnostics. EVs produce a lot of data that allows technicians to evaluate the health of the vehicle and perform predictive maintenance before the vehicle breaks down. Effective maintenance planning is an important part of keeping an EV fleet operational and efficient.

New Opportunities for EV Service Providers

If you are an EV technician, you can use EV data and predictive diagnostics to keep your fleet in excellent condition. Data-driven maintenance opens a whole new world for maintaining vehicles and preventing breakdowns on the road. Performing inspections, running battery diagnostic tests, and keeping up with high-voltage system service helps make EVs more efficient and reliable than internal combustion vehicles.

Skills Future EV Technicians Need

If you are considering becoming an EV technician, you will need a range of skills to work on electric vehicles, including: