If you own an electric bus in Australia, it is important to know how to maintain it. The impact of coronavirus on public health and the economy is unprecedented. It has disrupted modern life. It is therefore important to take precautions in a lot of areas including electric vehicle maintenance.
Quarantine orders that are implemented in most countries lead to people using fewer buses. Fleet operators should take into account the necessary maintenance for buses sitting unused for extended periods. To keep your electric vehicle fleet in its top shape during these quarantine times, we have compiled a few tips that will help you with the maintenance of your bus.
The benefits of maintenance
Electric vehicles require less maintenance than diesel vehicles but that does not mean they do not require any maintenance. During the extended periods of non-use, it is important to follow the maintenance protocols to ensure the longevity and health of your bus, especially the battery. When the battery of your bus is unused for long periods, there will be a vampire drain or standby power drain. Loss of range is not significant at first but with time, it can have bad effects on the vehicle.
If the battery of your bus is unused for a long time, the most prominent effect is a vampire drain or standby power drain. When the battery of your electric bus is being used daily, there is no need to be worried about the battery getting damaged unless if you are not using it correctly.
Check the state of charge
One of the most important issues to keep an eye on during a period of non-use is ensuring your bus battery is kept at a proper charge state during extended periods of non-use. While other factors contribute to the degradation of the battery, during these times they don’t need to be kept in mind. When a bus is stagnant, the degradation of the battery can occur if you do not take proper care. Experts say you should ensure your battery has a charge of between 25% and 75% while the electric vehicle is at standstill for longer periods. Using a charging monitoring system is the best way to ensure that your battery stops charging before it reaches 100%, preventing the degradation of the battery.
Traditional maintenance practices
In addition to battery maintenance, more traditional bus maintenance practices can be followed. You should check the low voltage battery charge on a daily basis to ensure it is not being drained while parked. Additionally, you should ensure the fluid and pressure levels are being monitored regularly.
Monitor storage conditions
If you are going to store your electric bus in Australia or park it somewhere, you should store it in a controlled environment if possible. You can also store it in a shaded location for hot climates. Just like people, batteries like 15 to 30 degrees Celsius of temperature. Keeping the battery of your vehicle in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius will have negative effects on the life and health of your battery.
