The number of new hybrid and electric vehicles is growing every year. This also applies to the secondary market, where it is becoming easier to find such a car at an affordable price. However, assisted or all-electric driven technologies require specialist knowledge of mechanics and diagnostic equipment. Mechanics share what to keep in mind when buying an electrified car.
The automotive sector is undergoing more and more transformations. Electrified vehicles are beginning to gain in importance and have already overtaken classic diesels in terms of share in Europe. This trend is also visible on the Polish market. Between January and February 2023, the country recorded nearly 50 percent more. more new passenger electric vehicles and hybrids. According to an analysis by the Samara Institute of the Automotive Market, the largest increase comes from all-electric options. This is confirmed by the data of the Polish Association of Alternative Fuels, according to which, at the end of January 2023, a total of 67,097 passenger and commercial electric vehicles (plug-in and electric hybrids) were registered. In the first month of 2023, their number increased by 2,376 units, that is, by 56 percent. more than in the same period of 2022.
– Due to imports from Western Europe and Scandinavia, the number of used electricians in Poland is increasing. The largest domestic auction portal currently has more than 2,000 offers for electric vehicles and almost 6,500 used hybrids. This is a significant percentage of the market, which requires additional skills and knowledge on the repair and maintenance of this type of car from car services, - says Marta Ciesielska, manager of the Q Service Castrol service network.
What choice do we have?
Before the driver decides which vehicle to buy, it is worth considering the drive option he is interested in. There are several types of hybrids on the market. The most common are classic hybrid systems (HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle), where the main element is a planetary gear that combines an internal combustion engine and an electric motor (powered by an additional battery). When the vehicle slows down or brakes, the electrical unit works like a generator, restoring energy. This type of drive also allows for short periods of electric-only driving, resulting in lower fuel consumption, especially in urban areas.
A less advanced hybrid system is the so-called mild hybrid, where the power of the electric motor is much lower, as is the capacity of the battery, making it impossible to drive on electricity alone. In this technology, the electric motor is only used to support the internal combustion engine, unloading it at startup and when full power is needed.
The third type of hybrid system is the so-called PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). In this embodiment, the traction battery can be charged from an external power source. This solution allows you to drive up to 100 kilometers without harmful emissions (depending on the model).
We must not forget about all-electric vehicles, where thanks to the use of a high-capacity traction battery, an average of 442 km can be driven without the need for recharging. However, there are models on the market that allow you to drive up to 700 km without harmful emissions.
So what should you pay attention to?
When buying a used electric or hybrid car, you should check its history first. This will eliminate post-Flood options or those whose repairs were carried out poorly. This is extremely important in the case of such technological vehicles.
– In the case of modern vehicles with low and zero emissions, it is especially important to check their current condition, especially the technical condition and possible post-accident repairs. However, if the traction battery is damaged, for example, its housing or individual modules, only replacement of such an element is possible. Some manufacturers also restrict support for electric vehicles, including not being able to charge them if the battery is damaged or not authorized by the OEM. However, they can be serviced with certified components,” explains Jaroslav Galushka, owner of the Autointerus workshop in Warsaw, which is part of the Q Service Castrol network.
The vehicle must also be checked in terms of its general technical condition, including suspension, steering, air conditioning and traction battery performance. In the first three cases, this can be done without expensive equipment, for example, at an inspection station or in an independent workshop.
The traction battery is completely different. Its possible maintenance costs from a few (in the case of hybrids) to several tens of thousands of zlotys. Careful inspection requires the charging socket and the entire charging process, the condition of the outer casing, as well as individual modules or the traction battery cooling system.
Who can service HEV, PHEV and EV?
The electrical system of a typical passenger car operates at a voltage of 12 V. In the so-called B mild hybrids, the voltage can be increased up to 48 V. In hybrid vehicles, the voltage ranges from 200 to even 600 V. On the other hand, voltages up to 800 V are found in electric vehicle installations. It is worth recalling that voltages exceeding only 25 V (in the case of alternating current) and 60 V (in the case of direct current) are life-threatening. For this reason, work on the high-voltage system can only be performed by persons with the appropriate electrical qualifications (HPS up to 1 kV). In practice, this means completing the course and passing the final exam, and the right itself is valid for 5 years. Then they need to be updated periodically.
– An increasing number of our car services have diagnostic devices that provide calibration of all complex ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) systems, i.e. systems that are active safety systems in vehicles. This is very important, because newly produced models have from several to several tens of so-called. driving assistants. Many of these devices improve driving safety, but in used cars make it difficult to diagnose, says Marta Ciesielska.
Source: Wprost
I am Jason Root. I work in the news website industry and mostly cover the automobile industry. I have also written for Daily News Hack. My work revolves around new car models, prices, and features. In addition, I often write about used cars and tips for buying them. My articles are meant to be helpful for those who are in the market for a new or used car.
