How to Care for Your Electric Car, Complete Maintenance Guide

Nepal’s roads are among the toughest in the world for any vehicle — endless potholes, sky-high speed breakers, monsoon mud, dusty highways, and steep mountain climbs. What makes it worse for electric cars is that the heavy battery pack is mounted very low under the floor for better stability and handling. One hard hit on a speed breaker or deep pothole can damage the battery casing, mounting points, or even the cells inside. That’s why “avoid bumps and speed breakers hard” is the number one rule every Nepal EV owner must follow from day one.

The great news? Once you protect the battery physically and follow a few smart charging and driving habits, electric cars need far less maintenance than petrol or diesel vehicles. No engine oil changes, no clutch, no timing belt — just simple, low-cost care that can easily give you 10–15 years and 2.5–3 lakh kilometres on the original battery. This detailed 2025 guide covers every point you asked for, Nepal-specific, and written for real owners of BYD Atto 3, Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona, Kia EV6 and others.

1. Avoid Bumps and Speed Breakers Hard 

This is the most important tip for Nepal. The battery pack is the most expensive part of your EV (often 40–50% of the car’s price) and sits only a few inches above the ground. Repeated hard impacts can crack the battery casing, loosen mounting bolts, or cause internal damage that shows up years later. Always slow down to 10–15 km/h on speed breakers and take them straight or at a slight angle if the breaker is wide. On broken village roads or construction zones, crawl at walking speed. Many dealers now offer extra underbody protection plates — they are worth every rupee on Nepali roads.

2. Prioritize EV Battery Care 

Lithium-ion batteries hate being at 0% or 100% for long periods. The 20–80% rule is used by Tesla, BMW, and almost every serious EV owner worldwide. Set your daily charging limit to 80% in the car’s app (BYD, Tata, MG, Hyundai – all have this option). Only charge to 100% the night before a long trip such as Kathmandu to Pokhara, Biratnagar, or Nepalganj. Plug in again when you reach 20–30%. This single habit alone can add 3–5 extra years and 50,000–100,000 km to battery life. A Kathmandu BYD Atto 3 owner who drives 60 km daily gets more than 300 km real-world range at 80% charge — plenty without stressing the battery.

3. Minimize Rapid Charging 

Fast charging is convenient on highways, but it generates extra heat and ages the battery faster. Use home 7–11 kW AC charging 90% of the time. Public DC fast charging (30–60 kW) only when necessary, and ultra-fast 120 kW+ chargers almost never unless in a real emergency. Daily fast charging can reduce battery life by 20–30% in 4–5 years. Nepal Electricity Authority’s night tariff after 9 PM makes slow overnight charging the cheapest and healthiest option.

4. Avoid Repeated Hard Acceleration 

EVs have instant torque — it feels amazing to launch hard at every green light, but it hurts range and battery health. Accelerate smoothly like you’re carrying a full cup of tea, use Eco or Comfort mode in city traffic, and save Sport mode for highway overtaking only. Keep highway speed 80–90 km/h for best range and least battery stress. Smooth driving can give you 50–80 km extra range on a single charge compared to aggressive style.

5. Temperature Management 

Nepal’s climate ranges from scorching Terai summers (40°C+) to freezing Himalayan winters. In hot weather park in shade and pre-cool the cabin while plugged in — it uses grid power, not battery range. In cold weather pre-heat the cabin the same way; the range loss is only temporary. Kathmandu Valley has ideal 10–30°C almost year-round. The car’s built-in battery thermal management system works automatically, but these small habits make it work less and keep the battery happier longer.

6. Monitor Battery Health 

Check State of Health (SOH) in your app every week or month. 100–95% is excellent, 90–95% after 3–4 years is completely normal, and anything below 85% too soon means visit the dealer immediately. Keep the daily charging limit at 80% permanently and only change to 100% the night before a long trip, then switch back the next day.

7. Check the Tires 

EVs are 20–30% heavier than petrol cars and have instant torque — tyres wear fast on Nepal’s rough roads. Check pressure every two weeks when tyres are cold (the correct PSI is written on the driver’s door or in the manual). Rotate tyres every 10,000 km and get wheel alignment & balancing after hitting big potholes. Under-inflated tyres reduce range by 10–20% and can force you to spend Rs 40,000–60,000 on early replacement.

8. Brake Maintenance 

Thanks to regenerative braking, the electric motor does around 90% of the stopping work in normal driving, so brake pads often last 1.5–2 lakh kilometres or more — many owners never replace them in the first 8–10 years. You still need to check brake fluid level once a year and change brake fluid every two years because it absorbs moisture over time. Battery coolant should be checked yearly during service, and windshield washer fluid is something you simply top up yourself whenever it’s low. That’s literally all the fluids you ever have to think about — no engine oil, no transmission oil, no power-steering fluid, nothing else.

9.Update Software Regularly 

Install every over-the-air (OTA) update as soon as it arrives — they often improve range, battery management, and safety features. Wipe the charging port dry every week, do a full car wash plus underbody wash every month (especially in monsoon to remove mud that blocks battery cooling vents), and always use original or certified cables. Mud stuck underneath reduces cooling efficiency and can indirectly hurt battery life.

Always use authorized service centres only: CG Motors for BYD, Sipradi for Tata, Paramount or Sulav for MG, and Laxmi Intercontinental for Hyundai/Kia. The official service is simpler, cheaper than a petrol car, and keeps your 8-year battery warranty safe.

Quick Daily & Weekly Habits That Make the Biggest Difference

Daily: slow down on speed breakers (protect the low battery), accelerate gently, plug in when below 30% and stop at 80%. Weekly: check tyre pressure, wipe charging port. Monthly: check battery health in the app, full wash including underbody. Every 10,000 km or 6 months: authorized service + tyre rotation. Yearly: coolant inspection and professional battery health report.

Top Mistakes Nepal EV Owners Still Make 

1. Charging to 100% every single day
2. Using public fast chargers daily instead of home slow charging
3. Flying over giant speed breakers
4. Ignoring tyre pressure on rough roads
5. Taking the car to local garages for electrical work (warranty void + danger)

Final Nepal-Specific Tips for Long, Happy EV Ownership

The best investment you can make is a 7–11 kW home wallbox charger — it pays for itself in 1–2 years compared to public charging. Join “EV Owners Nepal” and regional Facebook/WhatsApp groups for real local advice. . Keep all service records for warranty claims and better resale value. Your EV will save you Rs 20–30 lakh in fuel over 10 years while needing almost no maintenance.

Follow these nine main points religiously and your electric car will handle Nepal’s brutal roads better than most petrol SUVs, stay silent and powerful on hills, and keep running perfectly for 15+ years with the original battery.

Drive gently, charge smartly, and enjoy the future of motoring in Nepal today!