8 Common Electric Car Service Questions

The service team at Hendrick Kia of Cary, is happy to provide top-notch service for Raleigh drivers’ electric vehicles. We get a lot of questions about how electric vehicle service varies from that of conventional vehicles, how they work, and the parts they utilize to operate. Here, we’ve listed some of the most common questions from Durham drivers, and our answers, to help guide you on how to properly care for your electric car service. Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have a transmission? Get answers to these questions and more! 

Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

No. Electric cars utilize a battery and a motor to run, meaning that they don’t have a traditional gasoline-powered combustion engine. The purpose of motor oil is to lubricate the moving parts of an engine, and an EV doesn’t have that. If there’s no engine to speak of — just an electric powertrain — there are no moving parts to lubricate. 

Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Do electric cars have horsepower? Electric vehicles have horsepower, but it isn’t always measured as horsepower per say. Instead, you’ll sometimes find automakers measure the power of an electric vehicle in KiloWatts or “kW.” There isn’t much of a difference between the two, though. Using Google Search, you can search “kW to HP,” and you can convert the exact amount of horsepower an EV produces from the kW measurement. 

Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Another common question is: Do electric cars have a transmission? Yes they do, but they don’t need transmissions with multiple speeds, like 6-speed or 8-speed transmissions. Internal combustion engines need several gears with varying gear ratios to output power. Electric motors can generate the same amount of torque, regardless of RPM within a specific range. You don’t need to generate torque by revving your electric motor, because EVs produce instantaneous torque. The gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated, so drivers don’t have to change gears. 

Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No, both electric vehicles and hybrid models have a DC-to-DC converter. This recharges the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack. 

Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Your Kia electric vehicle doesn’t need a catalytic converter. Catalytic converters are necessary to remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. Since your electric vehicle doesn’t have this kind of engine, catalytic converters aren’t necessary. 

Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems? 

You won’t need to worry about releasing exhaust on your Durham and Apex rides, because electric cars don’t have exhaust pipes. Electric vehicles don’t produce any exhaust gasses either, this is because no fuel is burnt to power an EV. 

Do Electric Cars Have Heaters and Air Conditioning? 

Yes they do! Electric cars have heating and cooling, and the design/efficiency of those systems is important to the overall range of the car. 

Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? 

Electric cars can last longer than traditional vehicles with fewer repairs. It’s not to say that electric cars don’t require regular maintenance, because they do, but the minimal amount of moving parts within an electric vehicle greatly increases their longevity. 

Learn More About Electric Car Service at Hendrick Kia of Cary 

Still have questions about electric vehicle service? Do you need to schedule service for your electric vehicle? Hendrick Kia of Cary is here to help! Meanwhile, be sure to browse our service specials and parts catalog before you schedule your appointment at our Cary dealership.