8 Electric Car Service Questions

Are you thinking of getting your first electric vehicle (EV) near Kansas City? If so, you probably have quite a few questions about electric car service, like “Do electric cars need oil?” The fast answer to that question is no, but there’s so much more to know! That’s why Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission has compiled 8 frequently asked electric car service questions below, with in-depth answers to help you learn more about how EVs work. Read on to find out if a new EV is right for your Shawnee Mission drives. 

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

No, electric cars do not need oil. Why is that? Because they don’t have traditional gasoline-powered combustion engines. Oil isn’t necessary for an EV; oil’s purpose is to lubricate the moving parts of an engine. If there’s no engine to speak of—just an electric powertrain—there are no moving parts for the motor oil to lubricate. 

Worth Noting: Hybrid vehicles run on an electric battery + combustion engine combo and do require regular oil changes like a conventional gas-powered car. 

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Yes, EVs have horsepower, although it’s not always measured as “horsepower.” Instead, some automakers measure the power of their EVs as “kW.” There isn’t much of a difference between the two. Using Google Search, search “kW to hp,” and you’ll find a converter at the top of the results page that tells you exactly how much horsepower an EV produces if its power is measured in kW. 

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Yes, they do, but they don’t need transmissions with multiple speeds, such as 6-speed or 8-speed transmissions. Internal combustion engines need several gears with varying gear ratios to output power. Electric motors produce the same amount of torque, regardless of RPM within a specific range. Generating torque via revving isn’t necessary with electric motors, because EVs produce power immediately. The gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated, so drivers don’t have to change gears. 

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No, EVs, as well as hybrids, have a DC-to-DC converter. This recharges the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack. 

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

No, catalytic converters aren’t needed in electric cars. Catalytic converters are necessary to remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. EVs don’t have these kinds of engines, though, so catalytic converters aren’t necessary. 

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems? 

No, there are no exhaust pipes in electric cars. EVs don’t produce any exhaust gases. No gasoline is burned to power an EV, so there’s no need for an exhaust system. 

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

Yes, EVs have heat and air conditioning. By definition, electric cars rely on electricity stored in the batteries to run the heating and cooling systems. It’s worth noting that the design/efficiency of those systems is important to the overall range of the car. 

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? 

Gas-powered cars have their advantages; they can travel further on a single fill-up and it’s easier for drivers to replace parts as they wear out. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, can last longer with fewer repairs. That’s not to say that electric cars don’t require regular maintenance—they do—but the lack of moving parts within an EV greatly increases their longevity. 

Learn More About EVs with Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission

Want to continue your EV research? We have plenty more helpful guides to explore! Learn how to prepare your home for an EV, then check out approximately how long it takes to charge an EV. Our team is here to answer all your questions and help you determine if you should make the switch to a new EV for your Overland Park commutes. Visit us in Merriam if you want to test-drive a Chevy EV!