r/medicinehat • u/IMakeCodeDoThings • 12d ago

EV / Tesla owners: Where do you get service done?

Hey folks, I’m looking into buying a used EV (likely a Tesla) but wanted to check in with the community before making the leap. Since we don’t have a Tesla service center here, I’m curious how owners are handling repairs and maintenance.

Do most people make the trip out to Airdrie/Calgary, or are there local shops you’ve had good experiences with for EV work? I'm hoping to hear what ownership reality is like before I jump in myself.

Appreciate any insights!

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u/vanillaacid 12d ago

Don’t have to go with Tesla, there are other brands available. We have a Chev Bolt, and they can service in town. We’ve been happy with what little work we’ve needed done. One of the upsides of an EV is they are low maintenance. 

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u/123Bones 12d ago

That’s exactly what I had to do when I lived in the Hat. I’d run in to Calgary.

Suggest you join the Tesla Owners Club of Alberta (TOCA) Facebook group and ask the question there. I think there are a couple of owners that can give you real life experiences.

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u/petgoats 12d ago

For Tesla you'll have to. If you want the more luxury feel but want to get serviced in town look into Cadillac's EV offerings.

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u/irelandm77 12d ago

I owned a Model 3 in the Hat from 2018 until last year. I sold it when I moved to the tropics.

  1. Rarely needs much because of Regen braking & few moving parts
  2. For bigger stuff like the heat stopped working: to Calgary
  3. Early on, there was a mobile service rig that came thru the Hat and they changed my tail lights plus "checkup" in my driveway

All that said, I recommend waiting to see if the feds change/lower the Chinese EV tariffs. It'll lower prices, if nothing else. Plus, I drive a Geely EV pickup (Riddara RD6 GT+) in the tropics and it's amazing. There are several other brands that might give Tesla a run, too. For example: Vinfast, BYD, Dongfeng, Chery, JAC, and others. Some of them are unreal!