Do electric cars…?
EVs are made up differently to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, so much so that mechanics require specialist qualifications and training from the Institute of the Motor Industry in order to work on them.
Therefore, it’s unsurprising that many people have questions about EVs and the way they are built and run. If you need help understanding some frequent EV lingo, check out our guide here.
Do electric cars have gears?
The majority of EVs have one single gear, with the only exceptions being some performance-driven models. There’s no clutch in an EV, just an accelerator pedal and brake.
Do electric cars have engines?
EVs do not have a conventional engine but have a rechargeable electric motor instead. An electric motor has all its power and torque available from one rpm, making it far more flexible than a petrol or diesel engine with greater responsiveness and instant power.
Do electric cars have exhausts?
There is never an exhaust on an EV since an electric motor produces no tailpipe emissions.
Do electric cars have catalytic converters?
A catalytic converter turns toxins produced by a traditional engine into water and other substances that are less harmful to humans and the environment. Similar to the above question, EVs do not require catalytic converters as they don’t produce tailpipe emissions.
Do electric cars have alternators?
In a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle, an alternator pulls mechanical energy from the engine which is converted into electrical energy to charge the vehicle’s battery. Since EVs don’t have engines, there’s no need for an alternator. Although an alternator could technically be used to generate electricity for an EV’s battery, it wouldn’t be efficient, and the battery in an EV is much larger than its fuel counterparts, requiring significantly more energy to charge.
Do electric cars have brakes?
EVs have a conventional hydraulic braking system, however, most EVs are equipped with regenerative braking. Regenerative braking slows the vehicle whenever pressure is removed from the accelerator pedal, slowly recharging the battery at the same time. Due to this, many EV drivers use the brake pedal much less frequently than you would in a petrol or diesel vehicle, but the brake pedal is still there for quick and emergency braking.
Do electric cars need an oil change?
Electric cars never need a routine oil change as traditional vehicles do. EVs do, however, require routine checks for coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid.
Do electric cars have air conditioning?
EVs have a conventional air conditioning system that works similarly to fuel alternatives. The main difference is that the system uses electrical power from the car’s battery, rather than petrol or diesel. Many EVs have a pre-conditioning feature, allowing you to preheat or pre-cool the vehicle remotely.
As you can tell, EVs have a range of mechanical differences from petrol and diesel alternatives. It’s important to understand your vehicle in order to maintain it properly.
If you have an EV and are looking to install a chargepoint, contact our team today.
Images from: www.freepik.com
