On 9/9/07, timnagin <timnagin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > That it is a car. There is no such thing as "maintenance free". In > addition, they wouldn't have built a support network if they didn't see a > need for it. Greg, EVs are, essentially, maintenance free. Notice I added the word "essentially" ... Yes they do require some maintenance, but it's nothing compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE). An EV needs no filters. No air filters, no oil filters, no fuel filters. It needs no oil. It needs no coolant. Electric steering racks need no hydraulic fluid and regenerative braking systems, done right, need no brake pads, no rotors, no master/slave cylinders and no brake fluid. EVs need no spark plugs, no cap/rotor, no plug wires and no radiators. These items are a cash cow for the automotive industry because they are routine maintenance items and have to be changed regularly. Eliminating them is a huge deal for an awful lot of big money stakeholders. Electric motors last, well, virtually forever, so you'll never have to replace an engine again. Batteries are your biggest maintenance issue on EVs and really, that's about it. All of the common maintenance items just disappear when you get away from internal combustion. The core parts that make an EV go (not including the batteries) - your motor, charge controllers, and other electrical components that aren't on an ICE powered car - do not require maintenance. Period. They are exceptionally solid, reliable solid state components designed to last the life of the car and other than factory defects or damage caused by poor design or unforeseen circumstances, they will never wear out and you should never have to touch them. -Ryan Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DMCForum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DMCForum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:DMCForum-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:DMCForum-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: DMCForum-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/