8 Electric Car Service Questions

Many drivers around Chino and Covina are making the switch to an electric vehicle – and for good reason! EVs are better for the environment, and you no longer have to worry about rising gas prices. If you have been considering an EV, you may have questions about electric car service. Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have a transmission? Pomona Kia covers these questions and more in our helpful guide.

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

No, EVs that run on electricity alone do not need motor oil. This is because an EV does not have a traditional gasoline-powered combustion engine, and the main purpose of motor oil is to lubricate the moving parts of an engine.

Worth Noting: Hybrid vehicles run on an electric battery + combustion engine combo, so they do require regular oil changes.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Yes, EVs have horsepower. However, you may see it measured differently. This can cause some confusion among Covina drivers, as some automakers measure the power of their EVs as “KW.” Using Google, search “kw to hp,” and you’ll find a converter at the top of the results page that tells you the horsepower output of an EV if you see a measurement in KW on the specs sheet.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Electric vehicles may not have a traditional engine, but they do still have a transmission. However, they do not require transmissions with multiple speeds. Electric motors produce the same amount of torque regardless of RPM within a specific range. EVs produce power immediately, so the gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

Electric vehicles do not have alternators. EVs and hybrids contain a DC-to-DC converter, which will recharge the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters are also not needed in electric vehicles because they are designed to remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. EVs do not feature internal combustion engines, so in turn, catalytic converters are not necessary.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

EVs don’t produce any exhaust gasses, so they do not feature exhaust systems.

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

You don’t have to worry about the weather outside in Ontario, as EVs are equipped with both heating and cooling systems.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

Electric cars generally last longer with fewer repairs. While EVs will still need regular maintenance, fewer moving parts leads to better longevity.

Ask Us About Electric Car Service

Do you still have questions about electric car service? Do not hesitate to reach out to the team at Pomona Kia. We would be more than happy to provide you with helpful service tips and tricks for your EV. We can also discuss how to prepare your home for an electric car.