Do Electric Cars Have Transmissions?

Electric vehicles offer fantastic benefits for the environment and plenty of perks for owners, including reduced maintenance costs. And while EVs don’t have internal combustion engines under the hood, do electric cars have transmissions? The answer is yes, but the gears on electric cars work slightly differently than you might expect. Learn the basic design of the electric car transmission with Mercedes-Benz of Centerville, and try out a new car in Centerville today!

How Many Gears Are on Electric Cars?

So, what makes the electric car transmission unique? Most EVs use a single-speed transmission. Gasoline engines produce different amounts of torque, while EVs produce near instantaneous torque with the push of a pedal. That means gas cars tend to use multi-speed transmissions, while EVs stick with single-speed alternatives.

Here’s a brief guide to a typical electric car transmission:

1. As you step on the accelerator, electricity moves from the battery to the electric motor.
2. The motor spins, spinning the gearbox simultaneously. This causes the vehicle to move.
3. While internal combustion engines rotate around 7,000 rpm, electric motors can rotate as much as 20,000 rpm!
4. When in reverse, your electric motor simply spins backward. There is no separate gear to reverse the car.

Do You Have To Maintain Electric Car Transmissions?

Now you know all about the gears on an electric car, but what about maintenance? Electric car transmissions do need maintenance like any other vehicle in Springboro and Kettering. But, you’ll need to check your owner’s manual to see what that entails. Some EVs have transmission fluid that needs to be replaced, just like a gas-powered transmission, but others do not. If you have any questions, feel free to ask our service team for help.

Test Drive an EV Today at Mercedes-Benz of Centerville!

Now you know the answer to the question “Do electric cars have transmissions?” So why not experience EV performance in action at Mercedes-Benz of Centerville? We’d love to demonstrate the instantaneous torque that has convinced so many Oakwood drivers to make the switch. Contact us to learn more or just stop by our showroom in Centerville! You can also check out our electric vehicle hub to learn even more about the segment.