Do Electric Cars Use Oil?

If you’re interested in buying an EV like the Chevy Bolt in the Bakersfield, you might be wondering, “Do electric cars need oil like gas-powered cars?” After all, electric cars share a lot of similarities with their gasoline-powered counterparts, despite being powered by an electric motor rather than an internal combustion engine. In this case, however, you can cross oil changes off your maintenance schedule, because electric cars don’t require motor oil at all! That being said, EVs do require a few other essential fluids that require regular topping off at a qualified service center. The team at Delano Chevrolet GMC has more information in the guide below.

Do You Need an Electric Car Oil Change?

You won’t have to worry about an electric car oil change for your EV, but there are some other fluids that you should regularly keep tabs on. These include:

• Brake fluid: EVs have the same braking system as gasoline-powered cars, which means that they require brake fluid to operate safely. Brake fluid ensures that the braking system is properly lubricated, which in turn means that the brakes work quickly and efficiently when you press down on the pedal.
• Transmission fluid: Your car’s transmission is what powers it and causes it to move on the streets of Porterville and beyond. Like brake fluid, transmission fluid is essential to making sure the system is running in top condition. Your owner’s manual will give you a more specific timeline for topping off or replacing your transmission fluid.
• Coolant: EVs may not have internal combustion engines that need cooling, but the battery and vehicle systems are just as prone to overheating. The proper level of coolant in the radiator keeps these systems happy and prevents overheating. 

Electric Vehicle Parts 

Now that we’ve answered the question, “Do electric cars use oil?”, you might be wondering what exactly you’ll find under the hood of your EV. While EVs share some parts in common with gas-powered cars, like the transmission and braking systems, most of the internal parts are quite different.

In short, an electric vehicle is powered by an electric motor, which converts an electrical current put out by the battery into motion. A series of magnets alongside the motor are in charge of generating torque, by creating a magnetic field around the motor and churning it. Here are some of the most essential parts you’ll find in your EV:

• Charging ports: You’ll need to regularly recharge your EV’s battery for it to run properly, using the charging ports on the side of your vehicle. 
• Traction motors: The motors in charge of turning your EV’s wheels.
• Onboard charger: This charger converts the power delivered by the external charger into DC power that helps the vehicle run. 
• DC-DC charger: Once the external power has been converted into high-voltage DC power, it gets converted again into low-voltage DC power that actually moves the vehicle.
• Battery: Possibly the most essential part of the vehicle, the battery stores electricity and delivers it to the motor as the car is running. 
• Thermal system: As we discussed above, EVs use coolant to keep the motor, battery, and electrical components from overheating.

Service Your EV at Delano Chevrolet GMC

You may not need to bring your vehicle in for an electric car oil change, but you should still bring it in for other regularly-scheduled maintenance. If it’s time to bring your EV in for service, you can schedule an appointment right from our website! Feel free to contact our office with any questions, or to learn more about the services we offer for our Tulare customers.