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If you’re considering switching from a traditional gas-powered vehicle to an electric car, you may have questions about how EVs run: Do electric cars have horsepower? And do electric cars need oil to run effectively on the Thomasville, GA roads? Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC’s service team is here to answer some of the most common questions we hear at our Tallahassee auto shop, such as “Do electric cars have a transmission?” so you can make your electric purchase with confidence!
One of the most frequent questions Crawfordville drivers have about servicing their first EV is, “Do electric cars need oil?” The answer is no, electric cars do not need oil. The purpose of oil in a car is to lubricate the moving parts of the engine, and without a traditional combustion engine under the hood, there is no reason for EVs to use oil. That said, this only applies to fully electric vehicles. If you own a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, you’ll still need regular oil changes for the smaller engines these electrified models require.
Another popular question we hear from our customers is, “Do electric cars have horsepower?” Yes! That said, not all manufacturers measure the output of an electric motor in horsepower. Some automakers use kilowatts, often abbreviated to KW, but a simple Google Search for “kw to hp” will help you convert the measurement.
Yes, electric cars have a transmission, but it’s not the multi-speed transmissions often found in traditional gas-powered vehicles. Combustion engines need several gears with different gear ratios to effectively manage your vehicle’s power output, leading to aptly named “six-speed” or “eight-speed” transmissions. Electric cars, on the other hand, produce the same amount of torque regardless of RPM within a specific range, leading to near-instantaneous power on the Panama City roads. Thanks to this generally static power output, gear ratios can be pre-calculated and integrated within the EV powertrain, so drivers never have to worry about shifting gears.
No, electric vehicles do not have alternators. Instead, EVs and hybrid models have a DC-to-DC converter, which uses your vehicle’s battery pack to power the 12-volt battery used for the in-vehicle accessories, lights, and technology.
No, EVs do not have catalytic converters. The purpose of a catalytic converter in a traditional gas-powered vehicle is to remove the byproducts of running the combustion engine. Since there is no combustion engine in an EV, catalytic converters aren’t necessary.
One of the major benefits of electric vehicles is their lack of exhaust. No fuel is burnt while operating an EV, so no exhaust is created, eliminating the need for an exhaust system.
Yes, electric cars have heaters and air conditioning! Just like in traditional vehicles, EVs use the battery to run the heating and cooling systems. That said, your EV battery powers everything from your radio to the actual forward motion of your car, so running the heat or A/C excessively may reduce your EV’s range.
While EVs are still relatively new on the market, their simplified powertrain and government-backed battery warranties make them reliable choices. Gas-powered vehicles have many more moving parts, especially in the engine, leading to a greater chance of a part failing or needing repair. Electric models, on the other hand, have fewer moving parts, leading to longer service intervals and less money at the auto shop.
Now that you know the answer to “Do electric cars have a transmission?”, you’re ready to hit the road in your next EV! If you have any questions or would like to schedule your first recommended EV service, contact Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC. Our experienced technicians are here to help you get the most out of your electric vehicle on the Tallahassee roads!