Electric Car Service

While many Hanover drivers know all about the benefits of electric cars, not everyone knows just how they work. Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have horsepower? Do electric cars have a transmission? The experts at Silko Volkswagen are here to walk you through the basics of electric car service for new EV owners, so you can prepare your home for that new Volkswagen ID.4!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Do electric cars need oil? No, because motor oil is only necessary for a gas combustion engine. Because your electric car has an electric motor, there are no moving parts to lubricate and no need for oil at all. The only exception is the hybrid car, which has both a combustion engine and electric motor. EVs do not need an oil change ever, while hybrid models still do.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Do electric cars have horsepower? They do, but it’s not measured in the exact same way as a gas-powered car. You might see horsepower rated in terms of kilowatts or KW instead of hp. If you want to compare horsepower figures, just Google “kw to hp” to find a quick converter.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Do electric cars have a transmission? Yes, but it’s a different type of transmission than you might normally see. Most gas-powered cars have multiple-speed transmissions, like a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic transmission. Gas-powered cars produce different levels of output based on RPM, which means you need to change gears often. An electric motor has the same amount of torque no matter the RPM. Thus, gear ratios are precalculated – which means no need to change gears at all.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

An electric car does not have an alternator at all. Instead, you’ll find a DC-to-DC converter on both EV and hybrid models. This allows the 12-volt battery to charge using the battery pack.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

No, electric cars do not use catalytic converters. Catalytic converters remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. Since EV models only have a motor, there’s no need for this component at all.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

Exhaust systems are not found on electric vehicles. Exhaust systems are necessary to direct the exhaust gasses from the engine. But since there’s no engine, there is no exhaust system on an EV – and no emissions either!

7. Do Electric Cars Have Heaters or Air Conditioning?

Just like a gas-powered model, electric cars have heating and cooling systems. Most models use the electricity stored in the batteries to run the heater and air conditioning system. That means that no matter the forecast in Hanover, you’ll still enjoy a comfortable commute.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

One of the biggest surprises for most Norwood drivers is just how easy electric car service can be. Electric cars have simpler systems, which means less maintenance and less expensive service overall. Because they don’t have as many moving parts, EV models have incredible longevity compared to gas-powered vehicles.

Learn More About Electric Car Service at Silko Volkswagen

Whether you want to schedule an electric car service or check our VW EV lineup, contact us at Silko Volkswagen. You’ll find us in Brockton, so don’t hesitate to reach out for all of your automotive needs.