8 Electric Car Service Questions

At Biggers Chevrolet, we’re proud to offer incredible electric vehicles (EVs) like the Chevy Bolt and Chevy Silverado EV. Once you secure the keys to your EV, you can rely on our Elgin electric car service team to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. We’re here to answer your EV questions like: “Do electric cars need oil?”, “Do electric cars have horsepower?” “Do electric cars have a transmission?”, and more. Read our service tips below to learn more about electric car service!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Do electric cars need oil? No! If you drive a pure electric car, you won’t need to visit our service center near Schaumburg for an electric car oil change! Why? Because EVs don’t have standard gasoline-powered combustion engines, so oil isn’t needed to lubricate the moving parts therein.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

So, do electric cars have horsepower? While EVs do have horsepower, it’s not always measured in the traditional way. Many EVs rate their power as “KW.” While different units, they both represent the output capacity of a vehicle. You can quickly search for a “kw to hp” converter online to better understand the capacity of your EV!

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Well, do electric cars have a transmission? Yes, they do! However, they don’t need transmissions with multiple speeds, like 6-speed or 8-speed transmissions. Internal combustion engines need several gears with varying ratios to produce power. Electric motors, on the other hand, produce torque immediately, so multiple gears aren’t needed. For EVs, the gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated, so you won’t have to worry about changing gears.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

Electric cars do not have alternators. Instead, EVs and hybrids have a DC-to-DC converter. This system recharges the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

No, electric cars don’t have catalytic converters. Since catalytic converters are used to remove the byproducts of an internal combustion engine, they aren’t necessary on EVs!

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

Do electric cars have exhaust systems? No, electric cars don’t produce any exhaust gas, so there’s no need for an exhaust system!

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

EVs are designed to keep you comfortable, so they naturally have heating and cooling systems. Since EVs rely solely on battery power, it’s worth noting that the design/efficiency of those systems is crucial for the overall range of the vehicle.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

Gas-powered vehicles are tried and true, so they have their advantages. Gas-powered cars can travel further on a single tank of gas, and replacement parts are easier to find. Electric cars, on the other hand, last longer with fewer repairs since they don’t have as many moving parts that can wear out. That said, you should still make your way to our service center on a routine basis for regular maintenance!

Learn More About Electric Car Service at Biggers Chevrolet

Now that you’ve had an opportunity to review the basics of caring for your EV with our team, you can look forward to smooth, eco-friendly commutes from Streamwood to Bartlett. You can rely on Biggers Chevrolet for all things automotive! Whether you need help with your EV home charger or are curious about how to make your tires last longer, we’ve got you covered.