8 Electric Car Service Questions

EV vs Gas: Service

If you’re like other Raleigh drivers interested in a new electric vehicle (EV), then you likely have questions about electric car service. “Do electric cars have horsepower? Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have transmissions?” As with conventional gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, EVs require routine maintenance. Those maintenance needs are different. Follow along as we go over the 8 most common electric car service questions, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the service department at Hendrick Chevrolet Cary!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Unlike conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) and hybrid powertrains, EVs don’t require oil changes. Where an ICE features many moving parts that need to be lubricated, simple electric motors have few moving parts and therefore don’t require lubricating oil.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Just like conventional ICE powertrains, electric motors produce horsepower (hp) and torque. Where torque is measured, horsepower is calculated based on torque and the rotations per minute (rpm) of an engine or a motor. Some automakers rate their electric motors’ power in kilowatts (kW) rather than horsepower. One kW is equal to 1.34102 hp. You can search for a unit converter on Google Search that will convert kilowatts to horsepower and vice versa.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Electric cars do have transmissions, however, they are not the same type of transmission used behind conventional ICE powertrains, which have multiple gears to improve response and fuel economy. Electric motors are often paired with single-speed torque reduction transmissions. With instant torque generation that isn’t affected by rpm, electric motors don’t require gear changes.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

Instead of a belt-driven alternator, electric cars use a DC-to-DC converter to recharge the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack. As with an ICE-powered car, the 12-volt battery powers the vehicle’s security system when parked as well as runs the onboard computer and diagnostic systems.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters are used to clean the exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines. Since electric motors don’t use fuel, there aren’t any emissions that need to be cleaned. Therefore electric cars do not have catalytic converters.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

Electric vehicles do not have an exhaust system. Since electric cars don’t use fuel, they don’t need to expel exhaust gasses through an exhaust system.

7. Do Electric Cars Have Heaters/Do Electric Cars Have Air Conditioning?

As with any modern vehicle, electric cars do have heaters and air conditioning to keep you comfortable on every drive. With EV climate control systems powered by the battery pack, automakers work hard to make them as efficient as possible so they don’t affect the EV’s overall driving range.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

With less complex powertrains, EVs have fewer moving parts, giving them the potential to last longer than traditional gas-powered cars. Conventional ICE-powered cars do have their advantages, such as a longer range between fill-ups and parts that are easier to replace. As EV technology progresses, there is potential to have a longer driving range than conventional ICE cars.

EV Service Experts at Hendrick Chevrolet Cary

Do electric cars have horsepower? Do electric cars need oil?, Do electric cars have transmissions? Now that we’ve answered these and other questions, it’s time to explore electric vehicles at Hendrick Chevrolet Cary. Whether you have a conventional Chevrolet vehicle or an EV, you can schedule service with our service experts. Be sure to browse our service specials and parts specials to save on your vehicle maintenance.