Electric vehicles: use and maintenance
Despite what you might think, there are few simple rules for using electric vehicles correctly, which we explain on this page. Here you can find a quick guide to electric cars and their maintenance.
Electric Vehicles and cars: Guide to use and maintenance
Recharging batteries
This may sound obvious, but it is not. Battery charging should preferably be done after discharging, meaning at the end of the working day. In any case, batteries must be recharged at least once a month, even when the vehicle is not being used, in order not to cause damage them, like any other electrical device. It is a good rule not to leave batteries completely discharged if you want them to last longer, this applies to all electrical devices in general, not just to Alkè vehicles. We also give you a quick guide to charging electric vehicle batteries.
Using the motor brake
Using the motor brake as much as possible and not the brakes: this is the regenerative braking. It has a double advantage, firstly it recharges the batteries, increasing the autonomy up to almost 30% in some cases, secondly, the duration of the brakes is definitely longer. The energy produced is used to recharge the battery, so it is advisable (where possible) to decelerate by releasing the accelerator pedal without using the brakes: the longer the deceleration, the more energy is sent to the battery. This is a specific characteristic of electric vehicles.
Driving on steep slopes
When driving uphill or downhill on challenging slopes, it is compulsory to leave the gear engaged. On a downhill ride it is best to reduce speed by reducing pressure on the accelerator, if possible. The brakes should not be applied continuously in order to avoid dangerous overheating that would reduce their efficiency. Alkè electric vehicles are able to face slopes of up to 35% among the few in their category.
Inspecting and servicing electric vehicles - The main activities
| Data, including completed charges, are downloaded from the on-board computer. | The aim of this activity is to see if the vehicle is being used properly, in particular if it is being charged correctly and if there are errors occuring. |
| Investigating electrical connections. | All connections between battery and controller and between controller and motor are checked. The connections of lead-acid batteries, meaning between one battery and another, are checked as well. |
| Checking worn out parts. | In the case of Alkè electric vehicles, the entire mechanical part of the gearbox and variator is missing and engine management is much simpler and cleaner than in traditional combustion vehicles. In this case the main worn out parts are the brakes and bearings. |
| Detecting any anomaly. | A general test of the vehicle is carried out and the customer is heard if any malfunctions are found. |
Both ordinary and reactive maintenance of this type of vehicle decidedly need to be performed less frequently than in traditional combustion vehicles, thanks to the fewer mechanical parts and simpler operation. For those who are used to using diesel/gasoline vehicles and have no experience in the use of electric vehicles, it can be very often thought that the latter are more complicated to use, but actually it is not so, as the use of an electric traction vehicle is even easier following a few small tricks. Alkè vehicles need to be taken in a service once a year by an authorised service centre. By carrying out regular inspection and maintenance of your vehicle, you can achieve a great deal and guarantee a long service life. Maintaining an electric vehicle is very easy, as it reduces the amount of work in the workshop and, when a visit becomes essential, it minimises the cost of the service. Some checks can be carried out by the end user, others require an authorised service centre. The use of an electric vehicle certainly saves not only on fuel but also on maintenance, which costs significantly less than having a combustion vehicle serviced.
