Electric buggies, tugs and site vehicles cost far less to run than petrol or diesel, but "less" isn't "none". Most of the expensive jobs we see in our workshop started out as small, cheap problems that were left for too long. Here's where costs creep in, and how to keep them down.
Look after the battery
The battery is usually the most expensive part of any electric vehicle, and how it's charged has a big effect on how long it lasts.
- Lead-acid: charge fully after each day's use rather than giving short top-ups, avoid running it right down, and top up wet batteries with distilled water after charging.
- Lithium: no watering needed, and short top-up charges are fine. Just avoid leaving it completely flat for long periods.
- Both: always use the correct charger, and keep terminals clean and tight.
Keep scrubbers clean
Most scrubber repairs we carry out come down to day-to-day care. Using too much cleaning chemical doesn't clean better. It clogs the tank, pipes and filters and strains the vacuum motor. Rinse the tanks after each shift, clean the filters regularly, and replace worn squeegee blades.
Prepare for the quiet months
Winter is when batteries are most at risk. A lead-acid battery left partly discharged in a cold shed can be permanently damaged by spring. Charge fully before laying a vehicle up, keep it charged while it's stood, and store it somewhere dry.
Service before it breaks
We regularly see vehicles that haven't been serviced in two years or more, often still in daily use with brakes that no longer stop them properly. A planned service catches the cheap problems, such as soft tyres, binding brakes, seized pivots and loose connections, before they become expensive or unsafe. Once you count the repair, the lost working time and a hire vehicle in the meantime, regular servicing almost always works out cheaper than a breakdown.
Keeping your fleet running
Good charging habits, quick reporting of small faults and regular servicing will keep your running costs low and your vehicles working for years. If you'd like us to look over your buggies, tugs, platform trucks or scrubbers, or set up a regular servicing plan, get in touch with the SEEVS team.