8 Electric Car Service Questions
With the electric vehicle market expanding, many drivers in Loudoun County are curious about maintaining their new electric models. Questions like, "Do electric cars need oil changes?" or "Do electric cars have transmission?" often arise, making it challenging to plan routine maintenance. That's why our service team at BMW of Sterling has compiled a list of the eight most common electric car service inquiries we receive at our Sterling service center. Get answers to questions like, "Do electric cars have horsepower?" from the expert team at BMW of Sterling below!
1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?
Do electric cars need oil or oil changes? Unlike traditional vehicles, electric cars utilize an electric motor and battery system for propulsion. Consequently, there is no internal combustion engine reliant on gasoline, eliminating the need for oil changes. Oil primarily serves to lubricate the moving components within a combustion engine, a component absent in electric cars. Therefore, in electric vehicles, there is no necessity for oil.
Note: Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles use an electric powertrain and a combustion engine to fuel your drives around DC Metro Area. These models will still need regular oil changes to keep you moving on your daily drives.
2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?
Do electric cars have horsepower? Yes, although some manufacturers may quantify the electric motor's power in "kilowatts" rather than horsepower. To convert kilowatts to horsepower, simply search "kw to hp" on your preferred search engine and utilize one of the converters displayed at the top of the search results page.
3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?
Do electric cars have a transmission? Yes, although it differs from the transmission found in conventional gas-powered vehicles. A typical transmission employs multiple gears with different ratios to transfer power generated by the engine. Conversely, electric motors generate consistent torque irrespective of RPM within a designated range. As a result, electric vehicles often utilize simpler one- or two-gear transmissions, contrasting with traditional transmissions that typically comprise six to ten gears.
4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?
Do electric cars come equipped with alternators? No, they do not. Instead, EVs, plug-in hybrids, and hybrid vehicles are equipped with a DC-to-DC converter. This component recharges the vehicle's smaller 12-volt accessory battery using the larger electric battery pack.
5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?
No, electric cars do not feature catalytic converters. The role of a catalytic converter is to diminish the harmful emissions produced by an internal combustion engine. Since electric vehicles lack a combustion engine, there is no necessity for a converter in an EV.
6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?
Electric vehicles do not include exhaust systems. Unlike traditional gas-powered vehicles, electric cars rely on an electric motor and battery system for propulsion. Consequently, they do not produce exhaust emissions, eliminating the requirement for an exhaust system.
7. Do Electric Cars Have Heaters/Do Electric Cars Have Air Conditioning?
Absolutely! Your vehicle's heating and cooling systems utilize the electricity stored in the battery pack to regulate the cabin temperature. As they draw power from the electric battery system, excessive or inefficient usage of these systems could potentially affect the range of your EV.
8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?
Although electric cars are relatively new to the market, they offer the advantage of requiring less maintenance compared to traditional gas-powered models! Due to a simplified powertrain system, electric vehicles have fewer moving parts that can wear out, resulting in a longer projected lifespan for these cars.
Schedule Your Next EV Service at BMW of Sterling
Need answers to more questions about electric car service or want to schedule maintenance for your EV? Reach out to BMW of Sterling! Our certified technicians will assist you in reviewing your electric vehicle's maintenance, ensuring you feel confident hitting the roads of the DMV. Meanwhile, check out our service specials to discover how you can save on certified service when you bring your EV to BMW of Sterling whenever you schedule service.