No oil change, no filter change, no spark plugs, and much more. Electric vehicles never have to be serviced again! That’s what many new customers of electric vehicles hoped when switching to e-mobility, and some established repair shops were worried about losing their previously secure source of income from vehicle servicing. But is that really true? Our experience is: No, even e-vehicles should be taken to the workshop regularly to replace wearing parts such as tires or brake pads or to check their condition.
How to avoid visits to the workshop as far as possible and how to reduce the amount of servicing required was something we were concerned with right from the start when developing the TWIKE 5. We looked at accident repairs and regular servicing (inspection, maintenance, replacement of wearing parts).
With regard to unavoidable accident repairs, we will ensure that TWIKE insurance rates remain low in the future by consistently separating the component levels into surface (minor damage), sacrificial structure and actual supporting structure. For example, a minor scratch on the surface can be repaired by replacing the coloring film. A deeper scratch can be removed by filling before applying the new film. If the component is torn, it can be glued or, in the case of more extensive damage, partially replaced with the underlying sacrificial structure (reduced to the affected parts) in a time and cost-optimized manner. If the vehicle has to be dismantled down to the supporting frame due to an even more serious accident, even this can be done in just a few hours using standard workshop tools. This uncomplicated dismantling is the result of the consistent attention paid to ergonomic assembly in our factory. The vehicle is assembled by hand from “bottom to top” and can also be disassembled in reverse order. Note for the interested mechanic: The use of a standard motorcycle lift makes the work processes even more ergonomic. A room height of around 2 m is sufficient.
Regular visits to the workshop will essentially serve to check the correct functions, maintain the locks and seals and replace the wear parts as intended. As with the TWIKE 3, the most noticeable wear part will be the tire. However, the TWIKE 5 will already be fitted with a car tire in the basic version, so replacement intervals of more than 50,000 km are foreseeable. However, as the TWIKE 5 is also a completely new development, we will start with the usual maintenance intervals (1,000 km initial service, once a year or every 10,000 km) and gradually increase these.
All in all, the following applies: as components from the automotive industry are predominantly used, a longer service life and significantly lower maintenance costs can be expected than before. Interested service partners receive free initial training at the factory for standard maintenance work. And customers are also instructed on simple, self-service tasks (e.g. windshield water level, wiper blade change, wheel change to winter tyres) upon delivery. As much as the TWIKE 5 has occupied us as a development task, the focus has always been on reducing service costs.
You can find an overview of all current TWIKE partners on our website.
Here is a summary of frequently asked questions . Your question is not included? Then please ask it in the comments.
Where can major maintenance problems be dealt with?
We also aim to have more demanding service work carried out in generally approved master workshops (car or motorcycle). Various jobs require the qualification of a qualified electrician. We assume that these will now also be common in normal workshops.
Do normal garages have the possibility to drive a three-wheeled vehicle onto a lift?
Yes, the support points of the vehicle, e.g. for changing tires, can be easily reached and supported by conventional lifts (2-post, stamp or even motorcycle lifts).
Is it realistic to drive 45,000 km within 3 years without having to go to the garage for an inspection in between?
30 – 50,000 km is now realistic and is also the target interval.
Can small maintenance problems ( changing tires, replacing bulbs, greasing, oiling, …) be done without a workshop?
Changing wheels (e.g. to winter wheels) will be possible in the garage at home. Changing a tire, on the other hand, is similar to changing a car tire. Without the appropriate tools, you will not be able to mount the tire properly on the rim. The lights will be complete LED headlights. It should be assumed that these will not break during the vehicle’s service life or otherwise be replaced as a complete unit. Oiling or greasing should not be necessary. The smaller maintenance measures (correcting the windshield water level, maintaining the rubber seal) can easily be carried out by yourself.
Is the front wheel of the TWIKE 5 easy to remove?
Yes, the front wheel is a standard passenger car wheel and is similarly easy to remove. Only the front fairing has to be removed. However, this will also be easy to do (e.g. in the event of tire damage during a tour on the road).
