Similar reason why transmission fluid (which is just another lubricant) should be changed : it still breaks down over time and picks up contaminants.

The problem is that engines are designed with this in mind, and most EVs are not, and don't have it as a service item.

March 21, 2026 - 16:52 UTC

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I mean, I would actually disagree with the comparison between a transmission and the gearbox in an EV because trans fluid has to deal with the friction material in clutch packs breaking down where the drive unit of an EV is literally just gears and bearings.
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Manual transmissions (in cars at least) don't have clutch packs in oil, its all bearings and gears. It is still recommended to change it, just not that frequently.
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Ideally yes, and if there wasn't an increasing demand to go for thinner and thinner lubrication it probably wouldn't be an issue, but it is happening in some older EVs ( I am currently only aware of it happening to Teslas right now) where the lubrication fails and causes complete motor unit failure.
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This is to say I actually don't think it's so critical that the fluid be changed and I don't have a problem with suggesting it should not need service over the life of the car.

I understand why you disagree, though.
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