Everything you need to know about electric cars, all in one place.

Asking questions about the warranty is always important. Some important questions to ask include:

• What constitutes battery degradation? Will they replace the battery if it goes below certain capacity (usually below 70%) during the 8-10-year battery warranty period?
• Which tax credits and incentives are available to me?
• Are there any promotions on charging networks?  (Automakers work with dealers to provide discounted rates or even free charging for a certain period.)

Driving an electric car requires a lot less maintenance than a gas-powered vehicle. There is still some long-term maintenance required, but the frequency and costs are lower with an EV.

About two dozen repairs and periodic maintenance normally required in gas-powered vehicles are no longer required with an EV. This means no tune-ups, oil changes, emissions tests, engine air filters, drive belts, transmission checks, spark plugs, mufflers and more.

As an EV owner, you will be required to maintain your tires, battery care, brake service, updates from the manufacturer and general maintenance (wiper blades, washer fluid, etc.).

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It is suggested that maintenance regarding the internal system be performed by a trained technician at the dealership. If the repair is performed outside of the dealership and something goes wrong, it may void your warranty.

Basic maintenance such as hosing down corrosive materials (i.e. road salt) from underneath the body of the car with plain water can be done at home. In addition, adjusting tire pressure, replacing windshield washer fluid or replacing the windshield wiper blades are all maintenance that can be done every 7,500 to 15,000 miles at home.

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