Top 8 Electric Car Service Questions

We’re happy to provide our expert service to Henrico drivers who own electric vehicles. We are one of the premier EV servicers around Richmond, therefore, we receive many questions from our customers about their EVs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top questions about electric car service with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond today! For more information, feel free to contact us anytime!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Do electric cars need oil? No, because there is no engine, they do not need oil or oil changes. The purpose of oil is to lubricate the moving parts of the engine, and EVs do not have one. There is just an electric powertrain, so there are no moving parts to keep lubricated on an EV.

Worth Noting: Hybrid vehicles run on an electric battery + combustion engine, therefore, an oil change is required in a hybrid, similar to a conventional gas-powered car.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Yes, although there is no engine, they do have the horsepower. However, it’s measured as kW instead, but these two designations are quite similar. If you search for “kW to hp” on Google, there is a converter at the top that helps you to see exactly how much horsepower your EV makes when it’s measured in kW.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Electric cars do have a transmission, however, they don’t need a transmission with multiple speeds. Traditional gasoline engines need various gears and gear ratios to pump out the power. Meanwhile, electric motors provide the same amount of torque, no matter what the RPM range might be. You don’t have to rev to create torque with electric motors, as EVs provide you with instant power. The gear ratios on EVs are precalculated so gear changing is not necessary.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No, they and hybrids have a DC-to-DC converter. This converter recharges the 12-volt battery using power received from the battery pack.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

No, these are not necessary for electric cars, as there is no need to remove the harmful byproducts on internal combustion engines. EVs are close to zero-emissions, so these converters are not necessary.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

No, there is no exhaust system on electric cars. EVs don’t produce any exhaust, as there is no fuel to burn. Therefore, no exhaust system is needed for an EV.

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

Yes! The heating and air conditioning relies on the battery to run, and the design of these systems is critical to your overall range.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

Traditional internal combustion vehicles can travel longer distances on a single tank of gas, and parts are also much more accessible. However, electric cars can last longer and with less repair costs. They still need regular maintenance, however, because there are no moving parts, EVs can last a bit longer.

Get Your Electric Car Serviced at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond!

Now that you know more about electric car service, schedule service with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond today! Our service center is ready to help you get back on the Richmond and Glen Allen roads quickly. Be sure to take advantage of our service specials to save big near Goochland today!