The automotive world is undergoing a seismic shift. With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more mainstream, one question keeps coming up among car buyers: how does EV car maintenance compare to petrol car maintenance? Whether you already own an EV or are considering switching, understanding the differences in car service requirements can save you significant time, money, and hassle over the years.

In this blog, we take a detailed look at the car maintenance routines of both EV and petrol cars — breaking down costs, frequency, complexity, and long-term value.

1. The Basics: What Makes EVs Different?

Electric vehicles run on electric motors powered by large battery packs. Unlike petrol cars, EVs have far fewer moving parts. This fundamental difference has a direct and significant impact on car maintenance needs.

A traditional petrol engine has hundreds of interconnected mechanical parts — pistons, crankshafts, timing belts, fuel injectors, exhaust systems, and more. Each of these components can wear out, requiring regular car service. In contrast, an EV motor has a fraction of the moving parts, reducing the number of things that can go wrong.

2. Routine Car Service: EV vs Petrol

a) Oil Changes

One of the most frequent car service tasks for petrol car owners is the oil change — typically required every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres depending on the vehicle and oil type. This is completely eliminated with EVs. Electric motors do not use engine oil, which alone can save hundreds of dollars annually.

b) Brake Maintenance

EVs use regenerative braking — a system that recovers energy while slowing the car down. This means physical brake pads are used far less frequently compared to petrol cars. As a result, brake pad replacement, a common and sometimes costly car service requirement in petrol vehicles, is significantly reduced in EVs. EV brakes can often last two to three times longer.

c) Transmission and Coolant

Petrol cars require regular transmission fluid changes and coolant flushes as part of their car maintenance schedule. EVs, while they do have a thermal management system for the battery, have simpler cooling requirements and no traditional transmission to service. This eliminates a category of car service entirely.

d) Air Filters and Spark Plugs

Petrol engines require periodic replacement of air filters, fuel filters, and spark plugs — all essential to engine performance and fuel efficiency. None of these apply to EVs. While EVs do have cabin air filters that need occasional replacement, the overall car service load is substantially lighter.

3. Car Maintenance Costs: Who Wins?

Multiple industry studies confirm that EV car maintenance costs are significantly lower than those of petrol cars. On average, EV owners spend around 30–40% less on car service over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Oil changes (petrol only): ₹3,000–₹6,000 per service

• Spark plug replacement (petrol only): ₹1,500–₹4,000

• Brake pad replacement: Less frequent in EVs, saving ₹5,000–₹10,000 over time

• Battery check/replacement (EV only): Expensive but infrequent — usually after 8–10 years

• Tyre wear: Similar for both, though EVs may wear tyres slightly faster due to heavier weight

While the EV battery replacement is a significant cost when it eventually arises, most modern EV batteries are warrantied for 8 years or more, and battery degradation has improved dramatically in recent years.

4. Complexity of Car Service

EV car maintenance, however, is more specialized. Not all mechanics are trained to work on electric drivetrains, high-voltage battery systems, or regenerative braking software. This means EV owners often need to visit authorized service centres, which may be less convenient or slightly more expensive for specialized repairs.

That said, as EV adoption grows, the number of qualified EV car service technicians is increasing rapidly. Many traditional service centres are now upskilling their staff to handle EVs.

5. Long-Term Reliability and Car Maintenance Planning

Petrol cars, with their complex mechanical systems, are more prone to wear-related failures over time. Timing belt failures, head gasket issues, or gearbox problems are just a few of the costly surprises petrol car owners may face. Regular and timely car service is critical to avoiding these issues.

EVs, on the other hand, offer greater long-term reliability in most mechanical respects. With fewer moving components, the risk of mechanical breakdown is reduced. However, if the battery degrades beyond warranty coverage, replacement costs can be significant. Smart EV ownership includes planning for battery health through proper charging habits and following manufacturer car maintenance schedules.

6. Common Car Maintenance Tasks Shared by Both

Despite their differences, EVs and petrol cars do share some car maintenance requirements:

• Tyre rotation and replacement

• Windshield wiper replacement

• Cabin air filter replacement

• Suspension and steering checks

• Software updates (more important for EVs)

For both vehicle types, staying on top of these shared car service tasks ensures safety and prolongs the vehicle’s lifespan.

7. The Verdict: Which Is Easier to Maintain?

For most drivers, EVs offer a clear advantage when it comes to routine car maintenance. Fewer fluids to change, fewer mechanical parts to replace, and lower overall car service frequency make EV ownership less stressful and more affordable in the day-to-day.

However, petrol cars still have advantages in terms of car service accessibility and the absence of battery replacement concerns. For drivers in areas with limited EV service infrastructure or those planning to keep a vehicle for 15+ years, a petrol car may still be a practical choice.

Why Choose Go Clutch for Your Car Service Needs?

Whether you drive an EV or a petrol car, finding a reliable and affordable car service provider can make all the difference. That’s where Go Clutch comes in. Go Clutch is a trusted car maintenance platform that connects car owners with certified service professionals for both EV and petrol vehicles. From routine oil changes and brake inspections to EV battery health checks and software diagnostics, Go Clutch ensures your vehicle receives expert care at every stage.

With Go Clutch, you get transparent pricing, doorstep car service options, and access to qualified technicians who understand the unique demands of modern vehicles. Whether you’re scheduling your first EV car maintenance check or keeping your petrol car in top shape, Go Clutch makes the entire process seamless, reliable, and hassle-free. Visit Go Clutch today and take the stress out of car service.

Conclusion

The shift from petrol to electric is not just about fuel — it fundamentally changes the entire approach to car maintenance. EVs are simpler, cheaper to service routinely, and increasingly reliable. Petrol cars remain more universally serviceable but come with a higher frequency and variety of car service needs.

Confused in Buying a Petrol Car or Diesel Car in 2022

This comparative guide explains the differences between gasoline and diesel-powered automobiles. Read on to find out all you need to know to determine which option is best for you.

Choosing from the two variants of petrol and diesel puts a dilemma and raises a question mark in the minds of a good number of prospective car buyers. The debate has been raging for many years with supporters on either side unwilling to let the guard down. Facts first, it is plainly the type of usage that determines whether one has to buy a petrol version or a diesel one. Allaying the doubts of either side, each variant has its own share of benefits and it all settles down, to reiterate, depending on every person needs and to be sure, it does differ. As we unravel the pros and cons of both the iterations under various aspects, it is the customer who would emerge in possession of unalloyed details.

The priority for price

Laying bare a straight fact, the diesel cars are quite expensive than their counterparts running on petrol. There is a considerable difference in the price with the diesel variants on most counts pegged at least by a lakh higher than the petrol version. When the factor of on-road price is taken into account the gap further widens as the registration procedure for the diesel variant involves a steep fee. The fee swings in between 1 to 3% with respect to the cost of the vehicle and again depending on the state where the purchase is made. Upping the ante for the diesel cars is the element of comparatively lower price of the fuel retailing in the country which needs to be configured in positively.

Maintenance

The overall expenditure involved in the maintenance of diesel vehicles is usually on the higher side. This does not mean the petrol vehicles do not pinch much, but lesser while pitted against the diesel dependents. The underlying reason for the inequality is attributed to the highly priced consumables ranging from the engine oil to spares utilized in the diesel models.

The Effect on Environment

We live in an age and time where the objective of safe environment is being accorded one of the top priorities. The diesel fuel is free from any form of lead or rather emissions arising from regulated pollutants mainly from nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. But this virtue is slashed by the creation of higher emissions of nitrogen oxides and the relevant particulate matter which are flagged for their carcinogenic nature while compared with the petrol based vehicles. Fitting a particulate filter in diesel car enables to have a check on the pollution caused by the vehicle. The quality of burning is more optimized in petrol and this is at times cited as one of the reasons for turning away from the diesel cars.

The Resale Value

Compared to the petrol versions, the diesel cars command a good resale value. And this is explicitly overriding the fact that the petrol engines are long-lasting. The second hand cars of the diesel variant have enough buyers in the domestic market. So, without any guess it has to be inferred the depreciation of the diesel variants is less than the petrol ones.

Mileage

The diesel vehicles score all the brownie points when it comes to the mileage. A diesel engine does not require a spark plug and this is responsible for the higher compression. It in turn leads to maximum utilization of fuel by the diesel engine as against the petrol engines. Most of the diesel car owners, in foresight, make a purchase in favour of it despite the higher price tag due to the additional mileage it offers and they seem to recover the cost in due course of time.

In a nutshell, it is the usage as highlighted earlier that has a say on the vehicle choice. For shorter commutes the petrol variant is an ideal one whereas for the longer journeys the diesel based model suits the best.

Are you looking to sell used car in delhi . Carkideal is a best car dealer in delhi to get the best deal in buying and selling used car in delhi. With more than 15 years of experience in the automobile trade the Car ki Deal team brings a service offering that no one can match.