8 Electric Car Service Questions

If you’re on the hunt for a brand-new electric vehicle like the Lexus RZ, you might have some questions about making the switch to an EV in Torrance. Do electric cars need oil? Do electric cars have horsepower? Do electric cars have a transmission? Allow us to shed some light on the top 8 electric car service questions that we get at Lexus of Cerritos. Find out what you need to know about owning a new Lexus EV, and start shopping at Lexus of Cerritos.

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Do electric cars need oil? No, only cars with internal combustion engines need motor oil to lubricate the moving parts. Electric cars use electric motors, so they don’t need oil at all. The exception is hybrid vehicles, which use both a combustion engine and an electric motor. Your hybrid will still need regular oil changes, but an EV does not.

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Do electric cars have horsepower? Yes. You’ll see EV horsepower labeled as either horsepower or kilowatts (KW). If you want to compare different models, you can look up a “KW to HP” converter to change from one unit to the other.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Do electric cars have a transmission? Yes, but an EV transmission functions a little differently than a conventional vehicle. Electric vehicles generate the same amount of torque within a range, regardless of the RPM. Combustion engines vary, so they require multiple gears with varying gear ratios. Single-speed and multiple-speed transmissions are available, but the gear ratios are precalculated for EV models.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No, EVs do not use alternators like standard vehicles. Both EVs and hybrids use DC-to-DC converters. This recharges the battery using power from the battery pack, eliminating the need for an alternator.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

No, catalytic converters aren’t necessary for electric models. The purpose of a catalytic converter is to remove the byproducts of internal combustion engines. Since EVs don’t have these engines, there’s no need to remove any byproducts.

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems?

No, you won’t find exhaust pipes in an electric car. EV models don’t have an exhaust system at all, because they don’t produce exhaust gasses. No fuel is burned as you navigate Long Beach, so there’s no need for an exhaust pipe.

7. Do Electric Cars Have Heaters and Air Conditioning?

Yes, electric cars have both heating and cooling systems. But the same battery energy that powers the car also powers the heating and cooling systems. So if you run your air conditioner heavily in the Cerritos summers, you’ll see a reduction in range.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars?

Yes, there is some evidence that EVs could last longer than gas cars. While gas-powered models have plenty of benefits, electric cars need less maintenance overall. They have fewer moving parts, so there are fewer components to break over time.

Learn More About Electric Car Service at Lexus of Cerritos

Whether you have more questions about electric car service or you’re ready to schedule your next visit, feel free to contact us with any questions. Contact us at Lexus of Cerritos or stop by Cerritos. Our service center would love to introduce you to EV car ownership and get you behind the wheel of a new Lexus!