Electric vehicles popularity is going up by every passing day thanks to the many benefits these vehicles offer.  From being easy to run and maintain to leaving no environmental footprint, the idea of EVs seems to be hitting at the right place at the moment.  

Even car enthusiasts that are used to gasoline vehicles are now switching to EVs as they find them just as good as gasoline vehicles and wish to use them in the same way. Most of these enthusiasts upgrade their EVs using EV aftermarket parts in order to get the best out of them.  The idea of upgrading electric vehicles seems to be working well as many EV owners are now considering updates to critical areas of their cars.

This text contains all the information you need about these EVs specifically on upgrades and the right aftermarket parts you can use to upgrade your EV. The blog also provides you with a robust accessory guide that you can use to refer to in case you wish to upgrade your EV.

Can EVs be Upgraded and if so How?

It is possible to upgrade EVs to suit your needs but only if you do it right with the right EV aftermarket parts. The process of vehicle upgrade whether it is a gasoline vehicle or an EV is a very complex process that should only be carried out with great care for the best outcome.  This process compromises key components and aspects of the vehicle like the engine and suspension in gasoline vehicles and mortars, batteries and suspension for the desired driving experience.

If these components are not handled with great care then there is a good chance they may result in the total damage of the vehicle which might require costly repair procedures. Thus, any motor vehicle upgrade not just EVs should only be carried out if they are necessary with the right expertise.

Upgrading EVs is More Complex Compared to Gasoline Vehicles

Electric vehicles are still a new concept with new discoveries coming in about them every passing day.  As such, altering the normal working and functionality of these vehicles is more complex compared to traditional gasoline powered vehicles.  In this respect, any EV upgrade procedure should only be carried out only if it is necessary and at the right place with a clear idea of the expected results. The process should start from consulting the EV manufacture to see what the company thinks of the  process and whether it is fit for the vehicle or not. There are some EVs that cannot stand major upgrades and continue to operate in the same way.  Therefore, before upgrading an electric car should start with consultations with the vehicle manufacturer to confirm if the vehicle is fit for this process first before proceeding.

 If you are satisfied your EV can stand the upgrade then find out how best to work out the upgrade to attain the best desired driving experience while retaining your vehicle in good condition. Consider the impacts of the upgrades on the vehicle and whether they can result in future mechanical issues on the vehicle before proceeding.

Important Things to Consider Before Upgrading Your EV

Even if you are certain that your EV is fit for upgrades and retrofits, you will still need to consider a few other things first.  These things will determine how you carry out this process on what part of your vehicle and from where, here are some of them:

• Consider Your Vehicle Warranty

EVs come with warranties which cover these vehicles in the event of parts failure, repairs and malfunctions.  These warranties are very important considering that EV repairs can be so costly.  However, these warranties come with some conditions which can be voided in the event that the applying clauses are breached.

Before upgrading an electric car, first check your vehicle warranty clause and see if the upgrades you intend to make on your vehicle will compromise some of these clauses and deny you a useful warranty.  If you do not need a warranty maybe because you have enough money to cater for your EV repairs then you can proceed to upgrade your vehicle in a way of your liking.  However, if you wish to use the clause facility of your EV then ensure you do not upgrade your EV in a way that will compromise your vehicle warranty agreement.

• Vehicle Performance

In many cases especially with traditional gasoline powered vehicles most upgrades and retrofits target the performance of the vehicle. This means a lot of the upgrades on the vehicles target the engine and other components of the car that contribute to the overall vehicle performance.

Apart from the vehicle performance, there are also people who prefer upgrading electric car targeting other components like seats and wheels. For instance, EVs can be upgraded to fit security armour on the vehicle, improving the vehicle’s safety and so on.  These upgrades can affect the performance of the vehicle either slowing the vehicle down or in some cases increasing the speed of the vehicle.

As an EV owner you need to carefully consider the impacts of the upgrades you intend to carry out on your vehicle. If the upgrades are going to make your vehicle drive much faster and you do not need all that speed then look for ways to mitigate this effect.  Similarly, if the upgrades you intend to apply on your vehicle are likely to result in decreased performance of the vehicle then look into how you can accommodate that before proceeding with the process.

In a nutshell, before upgrading an electric car you should first assess the vehicle and your intended upgrades to determine how they will affect the vehicle performance.  If upon carrying out this assessment you realize that the upgrades are likely to negatively impact your EV performance then either abandon the upgrades or carry them out in an alternative way that will mitigate their impact on your vehicle’s capability and performance.

• The Safety of Your EV

Safety is another important consideration anyone willing to upgrade their EVs must consider. While upgrades on vehicles result in a desired driving experience, they can come with a host of safety issues which must be carefully evaluated before proceeding.

The upgrades you carry out must be safe or must not result in a safety compromise. Upgrades on areas like the suspension of the vehicle and performance can pose some safety risk on you as the vehicle user. Thus, if you need to audit this process carefully determine the associated safety risks first before proceeding.  If by some chance you realize that the upgrades you intend to apply on your EV come with a considerable risk then better discuss this issue with your mechanic first and only proceed if you are guaranteed of your safety. Where necessary, only use the best EV accessories.

• The Legality of the Upgrades

Even after you are satisfied that your desired EV upgrades meets the requisite safety and performance requirements, there is still one item you need to consider which is the legality of the upgrades you intend to carry out.  Various states come with their own traffic regulations regarding vehicle upgrades.

For instance, some states do not permit the installation of certain lights on EVs as they consider them a safety risk to other road users even though some people find them the best EV accessories for their vehicle upgrades.  Thus, before installing such lights on your vehicle you need to start by ensuring that this upgrade falls within the legality scope of your area.  If not, you risk running into problems with the authorities and even attracting hefty fines if you are cited for the violation of the applicable traffic rules.

After Market EV Parts and Accessories Types

There are different types of aftermarket parts and accessories which yield different performance desires, here are a few of them:

• Performance

In the interest of attaining the best athletic vehicle, many EV owners upgrade their cars to enhance their performance. To attain this goal, they upgrade critical components of their vehicles like the tires which they make lighter to improve range and ease of handling.

• Suspension

For EV owners seeking the best performance out of their vehicles, suspension is another area they target.  Having stiffer suspension can enhance the handling of the vehicle giving it a much higher performance that yields to the expectations of the vehicle owner.

• Aero Kits

For people looking for better handling of their vehicles aero kits is the right area to target. Improved aero kits improve aerodynamics and down force which results in better handling of the vehicle and better range. However, with so many aero kits in the market it is important to only consider those that fall under the best EV accessories to attain the desired outcome.

• Big Brakes Kits

If you have a bigger performance EV then you need to invest in big brakes upgrades.  These upgrades give you a much higher stopping power which can help stop the vehicle effectively even when moving at higher speeds.

Exterior EV upgrades

EVs require some necessary exterior upgrades like changing the vehicle colours and tints to suit the desires of the vehicle owner. For instance, if you do not like the colour of your EV then you can change that to the colour of your choice to suit your needs. There are other EV external parts areas that require upgrades like the following.

• Vinyl Wraps

Vinyl wraps upgrades allow you to change the looks of your vehicle to suit your needs and specifications.  They come in many different colours and configurations which you can choose from for your EV.

• Led Lighting Kits

If the law in your area permits, you can upgrade your EV headlights and interior lighting for the best visibility and safety during the night. Led lighting kits are some of the best EV accessories that can greatly enhance a vehicle’s appearance.

• Window Tints

Most EVs do not come with privacy windows which is somehow a problem to a lot of people who prefer moving around in vehicles with well tinted glasses for privacy. If you EV did not come with privacy windows then windows tints is a very necessary upgrade that you should consider. Of all the upgrades on an EV, this one is probably the safest and most necessary too.

• Interior EV Upgrades

Just like the exterior, EVs also require some interior upgrades which make the vehicle much safer and easy to use; here are some suggestions on how to upgrade your vehicle using EV aftermarket parts:

• The Right Floor Mats

Every vehicle should have the right all weather floor mats protecting its floor. Unfortunately, some EVs do not come with these mats.  As the vehicle owner, you can move to upgrade your vehicle mats by replacing your current floor mats with the best all weather mats.

• Cargo Liners

You need strong cargo liners in your EV to protect the carpeting in your cargo area. If your EV does not have these liners you can upgrade it to have them so as to protect your cargo area carpeting.

• Phone Mounting Areas

Any vehicle needs a proper phone mounting area where mobile phones can be kept and easily accessed while driving. Unfortunately, some EVs do not come with these areas and even those that do, hardly have them in the right locations that are easily accessible by hand and easy to keep an eye on.

As an EV owner, this is another area you can incorporate in your upgrades and get yourself a phone mounting area within your vehicle that is convenient and easily accessible. You can check with your mechanic to help you identify the best place in your vehicle where you can mount this vital accessory.

• Fast Charging Cables

Some things like fast charging cables are a big necessity in EVs. They enable vehicle users to top up their mobile phones charge while on route.  These cables should be located in convenient places which make them easily accessible and easy to use too.  For EV users that often travel with other passengers in their vehicles, having multiple cables in your vehicle can help you cater for the charging needs of your passengers while on a long journey.

Conclusion Upgrading an electric car is one of the surest ways you can use to get the best out of your vehicle.  However, even as you carry out this process consider essential things like safety and performance of your vehicle. Any upgrades you make on your EV should not affect your vehicle negatively but rather offer some positive returns at little cost