Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
Do Electric Cars Need Oil Changes?
All-electric cars do not have an engine that needs oil, but they still need some care. Here is what the U.S. Department of Energy says about maintaining electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
No engine oilin an all-electric vehicle
Less maintenancefor all-electric vehicles
Same general carefor hybrids and plug-in hybrids
8 years/100,000 milesEV battery warranty many makers offer
The short answer
An all-electric vehicle does not need oil changes. The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) says all-electric vehicles typically need less maintenance than conventional vehicles because they have fewer fluids, such as engine oil, and far fewer moving parts. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids still have a gasoline engine, so they need the same general maintenance as conventional vehicles, oil changes included. Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual.
Maintenance by vehicle type
How maintenance compares, according to the AFDC:
| All-electric vehicle | Hybrid or plug-in hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil changes | No: there is no internal combustion engine | Yes: it has an internal combustion engine |
| Overall maintenance | Typically less than a conventional vehicle | Similar to a conventional vehicle |
| Battery, motor and electronics | Little to no regular maintenance | Typically minimal scheduled maintenance |
| Brakes | Brake wear is significantly reduced by regenerative braking | Generally last longer than on conventional vehicles because of regenerative braking |
From Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026.
What an electric car still needs
No oil changes does not mean no maintenance. The AFDC says some automotive battery systems use liquid coolant to keep the battery at safe operating temperatures, and those systems may require regular checks; ask your dealer or see your owner's manual. Fueleconomy.gov notes that electric motors require less maintenance than internal combustion engines.
Like any vehicle, an EV rides on tires and has brakes, so routine checks still apply. Your owner's manual lists the schedule for your model. Helpful guides:
- How to check tire pressure
- How often to rotate tires
- How often to change the cabin air filter
- How long do brakes last?
From Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center) and All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026.
Battery life and warranty
The AFDC says EV batteries are designed for extended life but will wear out eventually, and that many manufacturers offer 8-year/100,000-mile warranties on their EV batteries. Fueleconomy.gov cites a DOE study suggesting these batteries may last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates and 8 to 12 years in severe climates.
Replacing a battery outside its warranty is expected to be a significant expense, according to the AFDC. When you shop for a used EV or plug-in hybrid, ask about the remaining battery warranty and check the manufacturer's terms for that vehicle.
From Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center) and All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026.
Service at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Need maintenance or repairs? Schedule service or see our service specials.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.
Electric car maintenance FAQ
Do electric cars need oil changes?
No. All-electric vehicles have no internal combustion engine, so there is no engine oil to change. The AFDC lists fewer fluids, such as engine oil, among the reasons EVs need less maintenance.
Do hybrids need oil changes?
Yes. The AFDC says hybrids and plug-in hybrids have internal combustion engines, so their maintenance is similar to that of conventional vehicles.
What maintenance does an electric car need?
Less than a conventional car, but not none. The AFDC says the battery, motor and electronics need little to no regular maintenance, and battery cooling systems that use liquid coolant may need regular checks. Follow your owner's manual.
Do electric car brakes last longer?
The AFDC says brake wear is significantly reduced in all-electric vehicles because of regenerative braking, and brakes on hybrids generally last longer than on conventional vehicles for the same reason.
How long do EV batteries last?
Fueleconomy.gov cites a DOE study suggesting 12 to 15 years in moderate climates and 8 to 12 years in severe climates. The AFDC says many manufacturers offer 8-year/100,000-mile EV battery warranties.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Need maintenance?
Visit us at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin.
Sources
Maintenance, battery and warranty information is from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center and from fueleconomy.gov, the U.S. government fuel economy site administered for the Department of Energy and the EPA, read November 9, 2026. This is general information; your owner's manual is the authority for your vehicle. Our address and service hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is of our dealership.
- Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), U.S. Department of Energy, read November 9, 2026
- All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov), U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. EPA, read November 9, 2026
- Home page: address, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 9, 2026
- Service page: service hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 9, 2026