Eight Electric Car Service Questions

Electric vehicles are taking Meridian and the automotive world by storm. Most Nampa drivers are opting for electric vehicles because of their zero emissions and tax benefits, but one lesser known benefit of EVs is that they are lower maintenance in comparison to gasoline-powered vehicles.

From oil changes to transmissions, Peterson Chevrolet Buick Cadillac answers 8 frequently asked electric car service questions in the guide below!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

The most common question we receive from Caldwell drivers is, “Do electric cars need oil? They do not! Because EVs do not have a traditional gasoline-powered engine, they do not need oil to keep the moving parts lubricated. That said, keep in mind that hybrid electric vehicles still require oil changes, since they have a combustion engine and an electric battery.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Do electric cars have horsepower? EVs do have horsepower, but it’s not always measured as horsepower. Some automakers use kilowatts or KW to measure horsepower. If you want to find the horsepower equivalent for an EV, you can google search “kw to hp” to convert kilowatts to horsepower.

3. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

Rather than alternators, both electric vehicles and hybrids have a DC to DC converter, which recharges the vehicle’s 12-volt battery by using power from the battery pack.

4. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Do electric cars have a transmission? Yes, EVs have a transmission, but it’s not the same as the ones you’d find on vehicles with internal combustion engines. EVs do not need transmissions with several speeds, like six-speed or eight-speed transmissions. This is because EVs instantaneously generate torque, and revving isn’t necessary.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Nope, electric vehicles do not have catalytic converters. Catalytic converters are designed to expel the byproducts of internal combustion engines, and EVs do not produce any emissions!

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

Electric vehicles produce zero emissions, so they do not need exhaust systems.

7. Do Electric Cars Have Heaters and Air Conditioning?

Yes, EVs have heating and air conditioning! This is made possible by using the electricity stored in the batteries to run both systems. Keep in mind that the design and efficiency of those systems are dependent on the overall electric range of the car. If you are running on a lower battery, heating and air conditioning will probably not work as well.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

Electric cars often have a longer lifespan than gas-powered cars due to fewer moving parts, resulting in reduced maintenance needs. While electric cars require regular maintenance, their lack of moving parts boosts their longevity.

Learn More About Going Electric With Peterson Chevrolet Buick Cadillac!

Now that you have a good rundown of how electric car service works, are you interested in bringing home a new electric vehicle? Peterson Chevrolet Buick Cadillac invites you to test drive our great selection of EVs in Boise. If you are already an EV owner and have any questions about electric car service, feel free to contact our service department online or give us a call at (208) 323-5000!