As a new first-time owner of an electric vehicle, I thought it would be helpful to do a series of posts on some of the questions I had getting my first EV, a 2016 Chevy Spark EV, in January 2019.
Our last topic on the EV front concerns getting your vehicle serviced, should any problems arise with the electric propulsion system.
For EV enthusiasts (these are the ones that buy the cars new), availability of service is less of a problem. EVs called “compliance vehicles” are sold only in states with stricter emissions laws (typically places like California, Oregon and Maryland) and are therefore serviced there. But now that a lot of EVs are coming off leases, they are being shipped all over the country. The question becomes: can I get someone nearby to work on it if I have problems?
One of the criteria before purchasing my vehicle was availability of service by a local dealership. In Nevada, EVs aren’t that common yet, especially compliance vehicles. In order to get an EV serviced, a garage or dealership needs technicians who are trained to work on them. Quick example: I got into a fender bender within a month or two of getting my Spark, and had to have a fender fixed. A few body shops simply refused to service my car, saying their techs were not trained to work on EVs. The same goes for dealerships.
Nissan’s Leaf and Chevy’s Volt and Bolt are sold nationwide, so their dealerships have trained technicians in all 50 states. Other brands I looked at did not have certified shops anywhere in Nevada, so for me, I had to take them off my list.
Long story short, there is a lot to consider when it comes to electric vehicles. The good news is, there are a lot of compelling reasons to look into getting one for yourself, and the reasons NOT to do it are getting fewer and fewer. And for some people, their driving habits, needs and geographic location may make an EV purchase very difficult. But through this series, I hope you have good information to make your own informed choice. But our hope is you’ll look at EVs a little closer the next time you’re car shopping.