Electric and hybrid car maintenance: what changes and what stays the same
What EV and hybrid owners still check, what they can skip and what is new
More drivers are switching to hybrids and electric vehicles. Many expect them to need almost no care. That is half right. These vehicles do skip some of the most familiar jobs, like oil changes on a fully electric car. But most of the safety checks in a regular maintenance routine still apply, and a few new ones are added.
This guide explains what stays the same, what changes, and what is new for each type.
What stays the same for every vehicle
Whatever powers your car, these safety items need the same attention:
- Tires: pressure, tread, damage and rotation
- Brakes: inspections on schedule, even if the pads wear slowly
- Lights, wipers and washer fluid
- Seat belts and air bags
- Steering and suspension
- Cabin air filter
- Driver assistance sensors and cameras
- Safety recalls
- The 12 volt battery
Use our main car maintenance checklist for these. The rest of this guide covers what is different.
Hybrids: two systems to care for
Regular hybrids and plug in hybrids have both a gasoline engine and an electric motor with a battery. The Department of Energy says they need the same general maintenance as conventional vehicles [1]. That includes:
- Engine oil and filter changes on the schedule in your manual
- Engine coolant checks and service
- Engine air filter replacement
- Belts and hoses inspections
What is easier
Hybrid brakes often last longer, because regenerative braking uses the electric motor to do some of the slowing. AAA’s 2025 driving cost study found hybrids had the lowest maintenance costs of the vehicle types it compared [2].
What is new: the battery cooling vent
Many hybrids cool the main battery with a fan that pulls air from inside the cabin. The vent is often near a rear seat. A filter keeps dust out of the fan and battery [3].
That filter can clog. In one case reported by Autotrader, a ball of pet hair and dirt had completely blocked the filter on a hybrid used to carry shelter animals. The mechanic described the battery as overheating [3]. When the battery gets too hot, the car may show warnings, lose power or run poorly [3].
- Find the vent in your owner’s manual.
- Keep bags, blankets and pet beds from covering it.
- Clean or check the filter as your manual says, and more often if you carry pets or drive on dusty roads.
Plug in hybrids that rarely use gas
If you charge often, your plug in hybrid’s engine may run very little. The engine still needs care. Follow the time limits in your manual for oil changes, even if you have not driven many miles on gas. NHTSA also reminds hybrid owners to keep gasoline in the tank [4].
Fully electric vehicles: less, but not nothing
The Department of Energy says fully electric vehicles typically need less maintenance than gas cars. They have fewer fluids, such as engine oil, and far fewer moving parts. Brakes generally last longer because of regenerative braking [1].
The savings add up. A 2021 Argonne National Laboratory analysis put maintenance costs at about 6 cents per mile for battery electric vehicles, 9 cents for hybrids and 10 cents for gasoline cars [5]. AAA’s 2025 study found EVs had the second lowest maintenance costs of the types it compared [2].
What EV owners still need to watch
Tires. This is the biggest maintenance item for many EV owners.
- EVs are often heavy. IIHS notes that typical gas cars and SUVs weigh 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, while many current EVs weigh more than 6,000 [6].
- Heavy weight and instant power wear tires faster. In J.D. Power’s 2024 dependability study, 39 percent of EV owners said they had replaced tires in the past 12 months, compared with 20 percent of gas car owners [7].
- Check pressure monthly, rotate on schedule and inspect tread often.
- Replace tires with the same size as the originals, or another size your maker recommends [8]. Ask the shop to confirm the load rating matches what your heavy vehicle needs.
Brakes. Pads and rotors still need inspections on schedule, even if they wear slowly. Brakes that are used gently for a long time can still develop problems, so do not skip the checks.
The 12 volt battery. See the section below.
Battery cooling. The Department of Energy says some battery packs use liquid coolant to keep a safe temperature, and these systems may need regular checks [1]. Follow your manual.
Cabin air filter, wipers and washer fluid. These are the same as on any car.
Software updates and recalls. Many EVs receive updates over the air, and some recalls are fixed this way. Others still need a dealer visit. Check for recalls twice a year either way.
Maintenance by vehicle type
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
What each type of vehicle needs
| Item | Gasoline | Hybrid | Plug in hybrid | Fully electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil changes | Yes | Yes | Yes, on time limits even with little gas use | No |
| Engine coolant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No engine, but some batteries use coolant |
| Tires, wipers, lights, cabin filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, with extra attention to tires |
| Brake wear | Normal | Often slower | Often slower | Often slower |
| Brake inspections | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 12 volt battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High voltage battery | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery cooling vent or system | No | Often | Often | Often |
Source: Based on U.S. Department of Energy guidance [1], manufacturer information [9] and industry reporting [3].
The small battery that can strand you
EVs and hybrids still have a small 12 volt battery, much like a gas car. It runs the lights, locks, screens and computers, and it switches on the main high voltage system [9].
Mazda notes that an EV cannot start its drive system without a working 12 volt battery [9]. That means a car with a full main battery can still be stuck if the small battery dies.
- Have the 12 volt battery tested on the schedule in your manual, or yearly once it is a few years old.
- Watch for warning messages about the 12 volt battery or charging system.
- If it dies, check your manual before jump starting. Many EVs have specific jump points and steps.
High voltage safety
EV and hybrid high voltage systems typically run 400 to 1,000 volts. High voltage cables are usually marked with orange coloring [1].
- Do not touch orange cables or high voltage parts, and do not try to repair them.
- Leave high voltage work to technicians trained on your type of vehicle.
- Know your warranty. The Department of Energy says many makers offer 8 year, 100,000 mile warranties on EV batteries [1]. Check yours.
After a flood
Batteries and saltwater do not mix. An NTSB official told reporters that problems begin when batteries are submerged in standing water [10]. After Hurricane Helene in 2024, owners were warned that EVs exposed to saltwater could catch fire [10].
If your EV or hybrid has been in floodwater, especially saltwater:
- Do not drive it or charge it until it has been inspected
- Contact the dealer or your insurer
- Park it outside and away from buildings. Tesla has reportedly advised moving a submerged vehicle at least 50 feet from buildings or anything that can burn until it is inspected [10]
See our guide on flooded electric vehicles.
Your EV and hybrid checklist
Frequently asked questions
Do EV brakes ever need service?
Yes. They usually wear slowly because of regenerative braking [1], but pads, rotors and brake fluid still need inspections and service on the schedule in your manual.
Why do my EV tires wear out so fast?
Many EVs are heavier and deliver power instantly, which wears tires faster. Keep the pressure right, rotate on schedule and drive smoothly. See our guide on EV weight, tires and braking.
Can any shop work on my EV or hybrid?
Many shops can handle tires, brakes, wipers, filters and the 12 volt battery. Work on high voltage parts should go to technicians trained for your vehicle. Ask before you book.
My EV will not turn on, but the main battery shows a charge. What happened?
The 12 volt battery may be dead. Check your manual for how to jump or charge it, or call roadside assistance [9].
Related articles
- Vehicle maintenance for safety: tires, brakes, lights and warning signs
- EV weight, tires and braking: what drivers should know
- Home EV charging safety: outlets, chargers and fire prevention
- Public EV charger safety: protect yourself, your car and your card
- Flooded electric vehicles: why the battery fire risk can show up days or weeks later
- EV cold weather range: how to plan winter trips
Sources and further reading
- 1U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles. afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric-maintenance
- 2AAA Newsroom. 2025 Your Driving Costs study announcement. September 16, 2025. newsroom.aaa.com/…/aaa-new-vehicle-costs-drop-to-11
- 3Autotrader.ca. Owner tips column on a hybrid battery air filter clogged with pet hair. February 14, 2020. editorialsui.autotrader.ca/…/lesson-learned-don-t-let-a-cat-r
- 4NHTSA. NHTSA Offers Safety Tips for the Great American Road Trip. May 29, 2025. nhtsa.gov/…/nhtsa-offers-safety-tips-great-a
- 5Yale Environment 360. Energy Department report finds that EVs cost 40 percent less to maintain than conventional cars (Argonne National Laboratory). June 23, 2021. e360.yale.edu/…/energy-department-report-finds-t
- 6Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. As heavy EVs proliferate, their weight may be a drag on safety. March 9, 2023. iihs.org/…/as-heavy-evs-proliferate-their-w
- 7InsideEVs. Tire Wear Is Especially Bad For Electric Vehicles, J.D. Power Says. February 12, 2024. insideevs.com/…/ev-rank-lower-than-gas-cars-jd-p
- 8NHTSA. Tires. nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/tires
- 9Mazda USA. What Is the Purpose of the 12 Volt Battery in an EV? mazdausa.com/resource-center/12v-battery-ev
- 10The Trucker. Report on saltwater flooding and EV fire risk after Hurricane Helene. September 29, 2024. thetrucker.com/?p=807588
This article reflects the safety priorities of electric vehicle safety and vehicle maintenance. It is general education, not mechanical advice. Follow your owner’s manual and leave high voltage work to trained technicians. Reviewed November 2026.
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