8 Electric Car Service Questions

Close Up Of Hand Holding Power Cable For electric car

Do you have questions about electric car maintenance requirements before buying a model like the Kia EV6? Spitzer Kia Mansfield is here for you! In our experience helping Lexington drivers like you, we’ve uncovered eight common electric car service questions. In the guide below, we answer those questions to help you determine if an EV suits you. Here’s a snapshot of some of the questions we’ll cover:

  • Do electric cars need oil?
  • Do electric cars have horsepower?
  • Do electric cars have a transmission?
  • Plus more common questions about electric car service requirements

Read ahead for everything you should know before buying an all-electric vehicle!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Shelby drivers getting ready to buy their first EV can rejoice to know that routine electric car service is less involved than routine service for gas vehicles! Do electric cars need oil? No, fully electric cars don’t have an internal combustion engine, only a battery and electric motor(s). Thus, no oil is required! One of the exciting benefits of electric cars is that you can say goodbye to oil changes for good. 

Please Note: Other types of electrified vehicles, such as hybrids and plug-in hybrids, do still require oil changes because they have an internal combustion engine to accompany the electric motor.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Some drivers are performance enthusiasts and worry they won’t have as much fun in an electric vehicle, leading some to wonder whether electric cars have horsepower. The answer is yes! Not only do electric cars have horsepower just like gas cars, but they’re often even more responsive and fun to drive. One fact worth mentioning is that some manufacturers don’t measure EV horsepower as “horsepower.” Instead, they may measure it in “KW.” You can easily use Google Search to convert “KW to hp” to understand an EV’s performance in the more traditional measure of horsepower.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

We’ve established that fully electric cars don’t have engines. So, do electric cars have a transmission? Yes, an all-electric vehicle will still have a transmission, but it won’t require a multi-speed transmission (like a 6-speed or 8-speed transmission). 

An internal combustion engine requires multiple gears and gear ratios to produce power. An electric motor doesn’t because it can achieve the same amount of torque regardless of RPM in a certain range. Revving isn’t necessary to generate torque with an electric motor because EVs produce instant power. The gear ratios are predetermined and integrated into an EV’s transmission, so the driver never has to change gears.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No. Whether referring to an all-electric car or a hybrid, it uses a DC-to-DC converter instead of an alternator. The converter is responsible for recharging the battery with power supplied by the battery pack.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

No. The role of the catalytic converter in gas-powered cars is to eliminate the internal combustion engine’s byproducts. As we’ve learned, EVs don’t have engines, so the catalytic converter isn’t necessary.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems? 

No. Since EVs don’t have an engine nor use fuel, they don’t create exhaust to necessitate an exhaust system; this also means you won’t see an exhaust pipe on an electric car.

7. Do Electric Cars Have Heaters and Air Conditioning? 

Yes. Electricity stored in the batteries cools and heats the interior of an EV. When researching EVs, keep in mind that the design and efficiency of a model’s heating and cooling system are important to its electric range for the Ashland roads.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? 

Advantages of gas vehicles include the ability to travel longer distances on a single tank of gas and the general ease and availability of part replacements. On the other hand, electric vehicles can last longer with fewer repairs along the way since there are fewer systems and components. But don’t think electric cars require no maintenance — they do. However, with fewer moving parts, electric cars may enjoy better longevity.

Get Professional Electric Car Service at Spitzer Kia Mansfield

Learn how long it takes to charge an EV before visiting our dealership to find the right one for you. In the future, you can rely on our service team to keep your all-electric ride in pristine condition. We’re excited to help you go electric at Spitzer Kia Mansfield!

Spitzer Kia Mansfield 40.77, -82.59.