The electric car is considered a central pillar of a future-oriented and climate-friendly transport system. But can you repair electric drives yourself? And which parts are better left alone for amateurs?

Electric motor vs. combustion engine – where are the differences?

The functioning and construction of electric motors differ in many respects from those of classic combustion engines. There are also considerable differences in terms of repair and maintenance. Therefore, especially do-it-yourselfers cannot work on electric cars in the same way as they are used to with combustion engines.

• Compact drive units
• High-voltage battery in the vehicle
• fewer individual components
• complex technology

Many manufacturers today provide their e-cars with complex drive units that combine the electric motor, transmission and other components into a compact drive. Due to the design as a complete drive unit, repairs are much more difficult to carry out. In addition, there are dangers due to the high voltages of the high-voltage batteries commonly used today.

Which parts of the electric drive can be replaced by yourself?

Due to the complex design of vehicles with electric drive, the possibilities for DIY are quite limited. Most of the components of the electric motor are permanently installed inside and difficult to reach.

It is comparatively easy to replace car parts that are not directly integrated into the drive unit. These include the wiring harness for controlling the electric motor or the connection elements and components of the cooling circuit. Components of low-voltage systems can also be replaced without any problems.

Sometimes, elements such as an external control unit or other modules of the control itself can also be replaced. In addition, separately mounted parts of the drive itself can be changed, such as the drive shafts on the drive unit.

Can I repair the electric motor in the e-car myself?

Due to the compact and encapsulated design of electric motors in electric cars, only a few repairs can be carried out by the owner. Many defects and problems require the drive unit to be disassembled, which is more of a professional matter due to its complexity. Only in individual cases and depending on the design of the electric motor can spare parts be installed by the owner.

In some cases, sensors such as a speed sensor can be repaired by the owner. Some electric vehicles also have a separately flanged transmission unit that is not part of the drive unit. Here, too, repair or replacement may be possible. However, safety should be the first priority for all repairs.

What should I rather not change myself on the e-car?

Some parts of the electric car should never be replaced by amateurs themselves, but should be left to a professional. The components of the high-voltage system in particular require special safety measures, as electric shocks can have life-threatening effects due to the high voltage.

Workshop personnel must be specially trained to be allowed to work on parts of electric vehicles. To ensure safety, the high-voltage batteries, for example, are disconnected from the rest of the electric vehicle network. This requires special measuring technology and sometimes even protective equipment. So it’s not for amateurs.

Which repairs on the motor of the e-car are better carried out by a professional?

The motors of modern vehicles with electric drives often have a complex design. Many parts are integrated directly during production and are difficult for the layman to replace. It is often necessary to disassemble the drive unit in order to be able to fit suitable spare parts. Safety-relevant components of the motor are also better repaired by a professional.

Professional mechanics can not only safely replace parts of the high-voltage system, but also carry out repairs to the motor components. Some car repair shops have even specialised in electric cars, and also change components inside the motor.

Depending on the vehicle, the electric drive is constructed differently inside. As a rule, however, elements such as the rotor, the stator and the motor housing always form the core. After dismantling the motor, the mechanic can remove these individually, check them and replace them if necessary.

Other elements of motors in electric vehicles can include the coolant collector, bearing shields, shaft flanges or the differential. The professional can also take a closer look at these elements after disassembling the electric motor, as well as the parking lock, for example.

Buy matching e-car parts used

As electric mobility becomes more widespread, the availability of used parts for electric cars is also increasing. In the course of environmentally friendly car recycling, damaged vehicles are dismantled and the intact spare parts removed. At Autoparts24 you can compare different offers of used car parts, and buy cheap used parts for your electric car.