What Every Owner Needs to Know About Electric and Hybrid Car Maintenance

Released On 9th Mar 2026

What Every Owner Needs to Know About Electric and Hybrid Car Maintenance

Electric and hybrid vehicles are no longer a niche choice. In 2025, nearly one in four new cars sold in the UK was fully electric, with over 473,000 battery electric vehicles registered - a 19.6% rise on the previous year. That figure is forecast to reach around 580,000 in 2026. Add in hybrids, and a significant proportion of cars on British roads now have some form of electrified drivetrain.

With so many drivers making the switch, one of the most common questions we hear is: what maintenance does an electric or hybrid car actually need?

The "Maintenance-Free" Myth

There's a widespread belief that electric vehicles don't need servicing. It's easy to see where this idea comes from — EVs have no clutch, no exhaust, no traditional gearbox, and far fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel engine. But "fewer parts" doesn't mean "no maintenance."

Here's what still needs regular attention:

Tyres - EVs are heavier than equivalent petrol cars due to the battery pack, and the instant torque from the electric motor puts extra stress on rubber. Tyre wear tends to be faster, and correct pressures are essential for maximising range and handling.

Brakes - Regenerative braking means the motor helps slow the car by recapturing energy, so brake pads often last longer. However, this can sometimes cause brake discs to corrode from infrequent use, particularly if the car is mostly driven in town. Regular inspection is still important.

Battery coolant - The high-voltage battery has its own thermal management system that uses coolant to regulate temperature. This fluid degrades over time and needs periodic replacement.​

Brake fluid - Just as with any car, brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and needs replacing, typically every two years.​

Software - Modern EVs and hybrids are essentially computers on wheels. Manufacturers regularly release software updates that can improve charging efficiency, thermal management, range estimation, and safety systems.

12V battery - Every EV still has a conventional 12V battery for ancillary systems like lights, locks, and the infotainment system. These can fail just like in any other car.=

What About Hybrids?

Hybrid vehicles add another layer of complexity. They combine an electric motor with a conventional combustion engine, which means you're effectively looking after two powertrains. Everything that applies to a standard petrol or diesel car - oil changes, air filters, spark plugs - still applies, alongside the electric-specific items above.

Common hybrid issues UK drivers encounter include battery degradation over time, inverter faults, and wear on the CVT (continuously variable transmission) that many hybrids use. Plug-in hybrids that spend most of their time running on electric power can also suffer from fuel system issues if the petrol engine isn't used regularly enough to keep seals and injectors in good condition.

Do You Need a Dealership?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions around EV ownership. Many drivers assume that only a main dealer can service their electric or hybrid car, but that's not the case. Independent garages with the right training, diagnostic equipment, and safety protocols are fully capable of servicing and repairing these vehicles.

The key things to look for in a garage are:

EV-specific training - Technicians working on high-voltage systems must follow strict Health and Safety Executive protocols, including safe isolation of the battery and awareness of high-voltage cabling (usually identifiable by its orange sheathing).​

Advanced diagnostic capability - Electric and hybrid vehicles rely heavily on software, so the garage needs up-to-date diagnostic tools that can communicate with EV-specific systems such as battery management, inverters, and charging modules.

Manufacturer-level data access - Look for garages connected to networks that provide access to technical data, wiring diagrams, and repair procedures for a wide range of makes and models.

Experience with auto-electrical work - EV fault-finding is fundamentally electrical diagnostics. A garage with a strong background in auto-electrical work will be well-placed to handle the complexities of modern electrified vehicles.

Simple Tips to Keep Your EV or Hybrid Healthy

Between services, there are a few easy habits that can make a real difference:

Charge smart - Regularly charging to 100% or letting the battery drop to 0% accelerates degradation. Keeping it between 20% and 80% for day-to-day use helps preserve long-term battery health.

Shelter when you can - Extreme heat and cold both affect battery performance. Parking in a garage or under cover, especially overnight in winter, can help maintain range.

Check your tyre pressures monthly - Under-inflated tyres reduce range significantly and wear unevenly. Many EVs have recommended pressures slightly higher than you might expect.

Don't ignore software updates - Whether they're done over-the-air or at a garage, these updates often include important improvements to how your car charges, manages its battery temperature, and operates its safety systems.

Use the petrol engine - If you have a plug-in hybrid and rarely use the combustion engine, make sure to run it regularly to keep the fuel system healthy.

Keep records - A well-documented service history adds real value when it comes to selling your vehicle. Digital Service Records (DSRs) are increasingly the standard.

The Road Ahead

The shift to electric and hybrid vehicles is accelerating, and the technology is maturing quickly. But like any car, these vehicles need proper care to stay safe, efficient, and reliable. Understanding what maintenance is required - and knowing that you don't necessarily need a dealer to get it done - puts you in control as an owner.

If you have questions about looking after your electric or hybrid vehicle, or you'd like to find out what's involved in a service, feel free to get in touch with us at Okee. It's what we do every day, and we're always happy to talk it through - no obligation, no jargon.

You can reach us on our Contact page, call 01823 617790 or at [email protected]