Most people don’t realize it: How often to change the oil in an electric car

Even though electric cars don’t have combustion engines with classic pistons and engine oil, they still contain a small amount of oil.

It’s not the engine, but the gearbox between the electric motor and drive shafts, which still has moving parts that require lubrication.

Finnish mechanic Jesse, who has gained a lot of attention on YouTube with his reviews of electric car technology, shows in a new video how in practice this oil can be far more worn than many people think.

In a specific example of a Mercedes EQC with 130,000 kilometers on the clock, the oil had turned black.

This is despite the fact that there is no fuel residue or clutches involved.

Microscopic sparks wear down the components

The explanation lies in the electrical currents traveling through the car’s engine bearings.

According to Jesse, this creates microscopic sparks that slowly break down the metal surfaces of the gearbox.

Small particles of metal end up in the oil and degrade its quality.

Despite this, gearbox oil changes are rarely mentioned in electric vehicle service programs.

However, Jesse recommends changing the oil approximately every 100,000 kilometers, especially in cars like Tesla, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC.

Low oil content, but clear signs of wear

One particular example is the Polestar 2, which only contains around three deciliters of oil in the powertrain and has no oil change scheduled in the maintenance schedule.

Yet after 60,000 kilometers, the oil shows clear signs of wear, according to Jesse.

In some cases, his workshop adds a ceramic additive to protect against electrical degradation and extend oil life.

A complete oil change in both engines of a Mercedes EQC, including additive, costs around 300 euros if done in conjunction with other services, according to Jesse.

The message to electric car owners is clear.

Although EVs require far less maintenance than traditional cars, owners shouldn’t overlook the gearbox’s need for fresh oil.

It can help extend the life of the car significantly and avoid costly repairs later on.