A technical inspection is mandatory for electric and hybrid cars , just as it is for thermal vehicles. It must be carried out within six months before the fourth anniversary of the new vehicle, and then every two years . Failure to comply results in a fixed fine of €135, which can be increased to €750.
Although the basis of the technical inspection remains the same (braking, steering, lighting, etc.), 11 specific control points are added to assess the electrical components. Note that, unlike thermal vehicles, electric cars do not undergo pollutant emissions tests , since they do not emit gases linked to the combustion of fossil fuels.
When servicing your electric car, you should first check the components of the electrical system .
Thus, additional tests are carried out during the technical inspection of an electric vehicle to examine the following 11 points:
the charging system: hatch, socket, cable and high voltage connectors are inspected to detect any anomalies;
the traction battery: its general condition, its insulation and its cooling system are checked;
the electrical circuit: high-voltage wiring and connectors are examined to prevent the risk of short circuits or current leakage;
safety devices: the anti-theft device (preventing the vehicle from moving when it is plugged in) and the battery ventilation holes are also checked.
The absence of pistons, clutch, gearbox, spark plugs, and carburetor significantly reduces the technical scope for inspection.
During an electric car inspection, the following will also be checked :
While both types of vehicles require regular maintenance from their owners , electric cars seem simpler, less demanding and more practical to maintain than thermal cars. The question of switching to an electric vehicle can be seen for the driver as a profitable economic investment , with reduced maintenance costs compared to a traditional vehicle.
You would expect electric cars, with their advanced technology, to have higher maintenance costs than gasoline-powered cars. However, the principle of regenerative braking (braking that recovers energy), the reduction in the number of spare parts and the amount of lubricant used make maintaining an electric car simpler. Since electric vehicles have fewer mechanical components to repair , you will spend less time at the garage and this will significantly reduce your costs .
In concrete terms, the annual maintenance of an electric car would cost on average 35% less than a thermal car (Source Caradisiac ). A saving that continues over time: if you have an electric car, you will only have to spend on average around 800 euros on maintenance per year after five years of use , whereas the maintenance of a petrol car varies between 847 and 1,743 euros per year.
Where and when should you service your electric car?
We advise you to entrust your electric vehicle to an approved professional every 30,000 km.
You can certainly take a certain number of steps to prepare your car for the technical inspection , but you cannot avoid going to an approved professional who has undergone specific training and has appropriate equipment.