8 Electric Car Service Questions

Have you seen gas prices in Warwick? They aren’t going down anytime soon. Or, maybe you want to have a new vehicle that has zero emissions on Providence roads and beyond. Perhaps you love a quieter ride free of engine noise for daily commutes in East Greenwich. You might consider one of our new electric vehicles when shopping for your next four-wheeled family member near Cranston. 

An all-electric Mercedes-Benz has the same high performance and luxury you come to expect from the automaker. But it also comes with one of the most respected electric designs in the world because Mercedes-Benz has some of the finest EVs on the market.

Read our answers to eight electric car service questions from Mercedes-Benz of Warwick. You might be surprised to know that electric car service costs less versus comparable gasoline-only vehicles.

1. Do Electric Cars Need Oil?

Electric cars do not need oil because they don’t have pistons. Motor oil is designed to lubricate the moving parts of an engine. For electric cars, there is no traditional internal combustion engine, only one, two, or even three electric motors. As such, your electric car service costs are lower compared to gasoline engines. 

Worth noting: Hybrid vehicles run on an electric battery and combustion engine combo. So, in this case, these quasi-electric cars do need oil. 

2. Do Electric Cars Have Horsepower?

Yes, electric cars do have horsepower. Some automakers do not always measure horsepower as hp. Some manufacturers use KW instead. Search for “kw to hp” in Google to find a converter that tells you exactly how much horsepower an EV produces if its power is measured in KW. But yes, electric cars do have horsepower as a measurement of the power it takes to move a vehicle forward.

3. Do Electric Cars Have a Transmission?

Yes, electric cars do have a transmission. A transmission converts power from the engine to forward motion. However, a transmission doesn’t have multiple speeds or gears like it does for an internal combustion engine. 

Internal combustion engines need several gears with varying gear ratios to output power. Electric motors produce the same amount of torque, regardless of RPM within a specific range. Generating torque via revving isn’t necessary with electric motors because EVs produce power immediately. The gear ratios are precalculated and carefully integrated, so drivers don’t have to change gears. 

You guessed it, though. The transmission is less likely to break down or wear out compared to an internal combustion engine because it has fewer moving parts. While electric cars do have a transmission, they tend to last longer.

4. Do Electric Cars Have Alternators?

No, EVs and hybrids do not have an alternator. Rather, they have a DC-to-DC converter. This recharges the 12-volt battery using power from the battery pack. So, your EV does have a traditional 12-volt battery to power the electronics and accessories. But it doesn’t have an alternator.

5. Do Electric Cars Have Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters are needed in the exhaust systems of internal combustion engines. EVs don’t have these engines, so catalytic converters are not needed. 

6. Do Electric Cars Have Exhaust Systems? 

No, electric cars do not have exhaust systems or tailpipes. EVs don’t produce any exhaust gasses that the vehicle needs to get rid of. No fuel is burned to power an EV, so this kind of power generation obviates an exhaust system.

7. Do Electric Cars Have HVAC Systems? 

Yes, EVs have heat and air conditioning! This system runs on electricity just like an internal combustion engine does. However, because the battery pack recharges the 12-volt battery, running the heat or AC for longer periods can deplete the charge in the main battery faster. So, having an efficient HVAC system in your electric car is important to its range.

8. Do Electric Cars Last Longer Than Gas Cars? 

Internal combustion vehicles have their advantages. They can travel further on a single fill-up and it’s easier for drivers to replace parts as they wear out. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, can last longer with fewer repairs. There are fewer moving parts. Batteries are rated for a minimum of 8 years or 100,000 miles. Some automakers have warranties that last longer.

Learn More About Electric Car Service at Mercedes-Benz of Warwick 

Do you have more questions about electric car service? Contact us or call (877) 622-9538 to talk to a member of our team. If your vehicle needs maintenance, schedule service for a tire rotation, brake replacement, or new cabin air filter.