8 Electric Car Service Questions

Electric cars are more popular than ever before in Sussex, and we get questions about these eco-friendly models all the time at Mercedes-Benz of Newton. Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have horsepower? Do electric cars have a transmission? We’re here to answer the most common eight electric car service questions and offer the service tips that you need for the Hackettstown area!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Do electric cars need oil like a regular car? No, because electric cars don’t have an internal combustion engine. Instead, they have an electric motor that doesn’t require motor oil at all. Keep in mind that this only applies to fully electric cars. If you have a hybrid, you will have an engine, and you’ll still need to schedule oil changes as usual.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Do electric cars have horsepower like a regular car? They do have horsepower, but sometimes it’s measured slightly differently. You might find horsepower listed in terms of “KW” instead, though there isn’t much difference between horsepower and kilowatts. If you want to flip from one measurement to the other, just search for “kw to hp converter” for a quick conversion. 

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Do electric cars have a transmission like a regular car? Yes, but the electric car uses fewer gears. A regular gas-powered car usually has something like a 6-speed or 8-speed transmission, because torque is more variable. These vehicles need several gears with varying gear ratios to output power. An EV produces the same amount of torque within a given range, so gear ratios are precalculated and there’s no need to change gears frequently.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

What about alternators? Alternators are necessary for gas-powered engines, but they are not found on electric vehicles. EVs and hybrids feature a DC-to-DC converter in its place. This recharges the 12-volt battery with power from the battery pack.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters are another component found only on gas-powered vehicles. Catalytic converters remove the byproducts of an engine, but since the EV only has an electric motor, these components are not necessary.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems? 

Electric vehicles produce no exhaust and no emissions. Because of this, they do not feature an exhaust system. This is considered one of the key environmental benefits to choosing an EV.

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

Electric cars do have heating and cooling systems like any other vehicle. However, they use electricity stored in their battery to power these components. If you use your AC or heater heavily, this could decrease the range of your EV.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? 

Finally, how do electric vehicles last compared to gas-powered cars? While gas-powered cars have their benefits, electric vehicles may last longer with fewer repairs due to fewer moving parts. This means you can save on everything from fueling costs to annual maintenance and long-term service in Hamburg!

Schedule Your Electric Car Service at Mercedes-Benz of Newton 

Whether you want to schedule your service at Mercedes-Benz of Newton or take a test drive in a brand-new electric vehicle, we welcome you to visit us in Newton. Our team would be happy to take care of all of your automotive needs, so contact us with questions.