The adoption of electric vehicles in Australia is accelerating fast. In 2022, the market share of electric vehicles increased by 65%, as more Aussies are trying to reduce their carbon footprint and save more on transport costs.
Besides being 70% cheaper to run than petrol and diesel-powered cars (or even less if charged with your own solar panel-generated electricity at home), electric cars have less parts required than cars with an internal combustion engine, which means less maintenance and repairs needed over time.
Car manufacturers around the world are responding to this shift in demand, with Ford recently announcing that they’ll be ceasing production of their popular Ford Fiesta sedan in Europe in 2023, to focus on electric vehicle production.
With all this said, the life expectancy of an electric vehicle and its auto parts still needs to be considered. In this article, we’ll go through some of the most common questions about electric cars and weigh up how cost effective they are for the average Australian.
What are the most common auto parts that need replacing on electric vehicles?
As you would expect in a conventional car, common parts like tyres, cabin air filters, and the car’s suspension will also need replacing after certain intervals in an electric vehicle.
All-electric vehicles use considerably less parts than petrol-powered cars to get their engine running, and the unique parts that make up an EV engine need little to no maintenance and can last up to 15 or 20 years before needing to be replaced.
Of course, this depends on whether you are taking the car in for regular servicing to prevent issues like overheating, corrosion, or a build-up of contaminants from shortening your electric motor’s life expectancy.
Are electric car parts expensive?
In a decade’s time when most electric car owners will need to start replacing key parts of their engine, the price of replacement parts such as a new battery is expected to go down, thanks to further technological advancements in its design and increasing production of lithium.
A replacement battery could cost you nothing if it wears out before your manufacturer’s warranty expires, with most major car manufacturers offering a warranty for up to 8 years or 160,000km. If you can’t claim a replacement under warranty, you can expect to pay
The most expensive part to replace in an EV is the lithium-ion traction battery pack, which may need replacing after at least a decade and will cost around $25,000 in Australian dollars, based on 2020 figures.
Again, you can expect to pay less for a replacement in the coming years as the materials required to produce it become more widely available and battery technology continues to advance.
Where can you find second hand electric auto parts in Perth?
Looking to convert a conventional vehicle into an electric-powered one with second hand auto parts? The most cost-effective way to do this would be calling around your local wreckers to see what they have available.
If you’ve bought a hybrid or all-electric car, you’ll most likely want to go directly to your manufacturer to get replacement OEM parts and ensure you maintain your warranty.
For now, our Perth wrecking yard is here to help Holden and Ford car owners find high quality used auto parts to keep their old vehicles going for a while longer, as well as all your usual car accessories – doing our bit for the environment while giving conventional vehicles a second life!