8 Electric Car Service Questions

Are you interested in upgrading your Atlanta commute behind the wheel of one of the all-electric BMW models for sale at BMW of Gwinnett Place? One of the many benefits of electric vehicles is reduced maintenance, which will help you save money in the long run. If you are new to the world of EVs you may have some questions regarding electric car service. Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have horsepower? Do electric cars have a transmission? Learn more about electric car service in this guide from the team at BMW of Gwinnett Place, and if you are looking for professional electric car service in Duluth, schedule an appointment with us today!

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

An EV like the BMW iX SUV and BMW i7 Sedan is powered by an electric motor and battery pack instead of a gas-powered engine. Therefore, it will never require an oil change. Motor oil is used to lubricate the moving parts of an engine, and the electric powertrain on an EV doesn’t incorporate the intricate components of an internal combustion engine. You should note that electric hybrid vehicles use both an electric motor and a gas-powered engine, so it will still need regular oil changes to operate properly.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Yes, EVs generate horsepower, although it’s not always measured as “horsepower” per se. Some automakers measure the power of their EVs as “KW.” If you Google “kw to hp,” you’ll find a converter at the top of the results page that tells you exactly how much horsepower an EV produces if its power is measured in KW. 

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Yes, EVs are equipped with a transmission, but you won’t find 6-speed or 8-speed transmissions offered on electric vehicles. Internal combustion engines need several gears with varying gear ratios to output power. However, electric motors produce the same amount of torque, regardless of RPM within a specific range. The gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated, and with the near instantaneous torque produced by an EV, you won’t need to change gears when cruising on the roads in and around Lawrenceville. 

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No, EVs and hybrid vehicles replace the alternator with a DC-to-DC converter. This converter recharges the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack. 

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters aren’t needed in electric cars. A catalytic converter is designed to remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. Since EVs don’t have a gas-powered engine, a catalytic converter isn’t necessary. 

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems? 

No fuel is burned to power an EV, so there’s no need for an exhaust system. That means you can enjoy instant acceleration and strong performance on Suwanee roads with zero emissions.

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

Yes, EVs have heat and air conditioning systems that are powered by the electricity stored in the batteries. The design and efficiency of these systems have a direct impact on the overall range of the car. 

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? 

Electric vehicles can not only last longer than gas-powered cars, but they also require less maintenance. This is largely due to the fact that EVs have fewer moving parts than vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine. That being said, it is still important to keep up to date with your scheduled electric car service schedule. 

Learn More About Electric Car Service at BMW of Gwinnett Place 

You can count on the service experts at BMW of Gwinnett Place to handle all of your electric car service and repair needs. Our prices are very competitive, and with our rotating service specials and coupons you can save even more! If you have further questions about your electric car service schedule, please feel free to contact our service team.