If you're shopping for a new green car, you probably have some questions. One thing we hear a lot from electric car shoppers is that they're concerned about how maintenance works. Are there the same requirements? Does an EV use the same Volkswagen parts and systems a gas-powered car does, like a transmission?
The mechanics at Patrick Volkswagen are more than ready to answer your questions. Here's what you need to know about electric cars and their transmissions.
Does an EV Need a Transmission?
Yes, an electric vehicle does still come equipped with a transmission. However, there are some differences between the transmission found in an EV and the transmission found in gasoline-powered vehicle. This is mostly due to how electric motors work and power a model like the Volkswagen ID.4.
The Electric Car Transmission
An electric car transmission works differently than a traditional transmission. The electric motors in an electric vehicle don't have to “rev up” like a traditional combustion engine does, so the transmission in an EV simply doesn't have the need for many gears. In fact, while a gasoline car's transmission could have five, six, or even ten speeds, an electric car's transmission often just has one!
Due to these differences, an electric car often doesn't even need transmission fluid. So, the important takeaway here is that your EV will have a transmission, but how you may have to care for it can differ from how you would care for a gasoline-powered vehicle's transmission.
If you have any more questions about properly caring for a green car, we can help. Visit our Volkswagen service center in Auburn, MA and talk to our mechanics today. Whether you're driving a new EV or a gas-powered SUV, we're ready to assist you!