Good news for anyone that hates having to have their oil changed, or doing it themselves— you don’t have to worry about getting your oil changed if you have an electric vehicle. Why? Do electric cars use oil at all?
The short answer is no, they don’t. Motor oil is used to lubricate all of the moving parts of an internal combustion engine (gas-powered engine) in traditional vehicles. These engines have hundreds of moving parts, which all require lubrication to avoid friction that will cause them to wear out and fail. But an electric car’s equivalent of an engine has just two moving parts, which means no engine oil required.
Why Don’t Electric Cars Need Oil?
Have you ever seen an internal combustion engine in action? When the car is running, it’s in constant motion. Pistons fire up and down, valves move in and out, and cranks are constantly turning and interacting with other parts in perfect synchronicity in order to make the engine work and the car move. Oil is used to lubricate all of these actions and keep the components from overheating due to friction. Over time, all of the metal rubbing causes tiny metal flakes to break off and build up in the motor oil, which is why vehicles with internal combustion engines must get the oil removed and replaced with fresh oil— this is what’s happening when you get an oil change.
But an electric engine has none of these moving parts. Its operation is as simple as an electric charge moving a single gear in the motor to turn the axles connected to the wheels. No pistons, no valves. That’s why electric vehicles don’t require oil. This is one of the greatest advantages of owning an electric vehicle.
How Do Electric Engines Work?
Gas power was essentially the only power for automobiles for over a century, so how do they differ from electric engines? Gas-powered cars use internal combustion engines to propel them forward. Basically, gasoline acts as fuel to power tiny, constant explosions inside your engine. The energy generated from these explosions (or combustion) is transferred to the motion of your vehicle, propelling it forward. Because of this design, internal combustion engines featured dozens of moving parts, from pistons and gear shafts to all of the tiny little components that make it all come together.
Electric cars use only a large battery to power the engine— no gasoline whatsoever. The first fully electric vehicle that was mass-produced and highway legal was the Tesla Roadster, which cost $100,000. Since then, the technology associated with electrically powered vehicles has advanced to the point that electric cars cost less and can do more than ever before— in many cases, matching or exceeding gas-powered vehicles in overall performance.
Electric cars work through induction. A lithium ion battery turns a crank as you drive, which then turns gears that are connected to the rods which turn your vehicle’s wheels. There are no pistons, no cylinders, and no internal combustion in fully electric vehicles. And whereas traditional internal combustion engines have hundreds of moving parts, an electric vehicle’s motor has just two. Overall, this makes them four times more energy efficient than gas-powered vehicles.
Electric Vehicle Fluids & Maintenance
So, are electric vehicles completely maintenance-free? Not quite. While they may not have the thousands of moving components present in traditional gas-powered vehicles, they do have several key components that must be properly maintained and occasionally repaired or replaced, including when it comes to certain fluids other than motor oil.
Battery Coolant
Electric cars may not be generating combustion like gas-powered vehicles, but they still generate a great deal of heat. Just think about how hot your laptop battery gets when you have lots of tabs open in your web browser. Now imagine a battery powering a 5,000lb vehicle 80 miles per hour down a highway.
In order to manage this heat, electric vehicles use battery coolant. Letting battery coolant get too low can lead to overheating, and there have even been instances of electric vehicles catching fire because there wasn’t enough coolant to cool the battery and other components.
Brakes
Brakes are one of the most frequent components to fail in a vehicle, so you’ll be pleased to learn that the brakes in most electric vehicles last far longer than those in their gas-powered counterparts. In fact, brakes in electric vehicles can usually last well over 100,000 miles before needing to be replaced.
Part of the reason for this brake longevity is that in addition to traditional friction brakes, electric vehicles also feature regenerative brakes. These are used to help put energy into the battery whenever the vehicle is brought to a stop. Think of it as your vehicle’s motor acting as a kinetic energy generator which sends electricity into the battery.
Because electric vehicles with regen braking essentially split braking duties across two brake systems, the wear and tear on your friction brakes is greatly reduced. That said, the friction brakes in an EV still require brake fluid to help them function, and this may need to be topped up from time to time.
Wiper Fluid
As futuristic as some electric vehicles may be, they still haven’t conquered the elements. Wiper fluid doesn’t just help keep your windshield looking clean, it can also save your life. Reduced visibility is a significant hazard when driving, and wiper fluid can help clear your view so that you can see the road ahead properly.
One drawback to not needing regular oil changes is that usually the mechanics that provide these oil changes will also check other fluids at the same time. Without these checks, it’s easy to forget that things like wiper fluid need to be topped up. Set a reminder in your phone to occasionally check your wiper fluid, so that you’re not finding out it’s empty when you’re in the middle of a dust storm and need it most.
Software and Electrical Components
Electric cars use cutting-edge technology, and that means they’re heavily reliant on software. Tesla is famous for its software updates, which can be sent to the car without having to visit a dealership and can result in dramatic improvements to the overall experience of driving and using them.
Like any computer, the software and hardware components of an electric vehicle’s digital systems can sometimes fail and need to be updated, serviced, or replaced. Keep that in mind next time your electric vehicle is behaving strangely when nothing seems to be mechanically wrong with it. It could be a matter of software or electrical components acting up.
Electric Vehicle Maintenance Costs
Electric vehicle maintenance is far simpler than maintenance for vehicles that use internal combustion engines. The main reason for this is that while an internal combustion engine has hundreds of moving parts and pieces, an electric vehicle battery has just two. And while an entire gas-powered vehicle has roughly 2,000 moving parts, an electric car has between 30 and 40 on average. That means less parts that can wear, become damaged, or fail, which all adds up to significantly lower maintenance costs for an electric car when compared to an equivalent gas-powered one.
That said, electric vehicles aren’t entirely maintenance free. You can extend the life of your vehicle and keep you safe by learning how to maintain an electric car the right way.
If you’re looking for a great starting point for your electric vehicle’s maintenance schedule, here’s an excellent checklist from www.MyEV.com.
Monthly
Check and adjust tire pressure, check tires for wear, and refill windshield wiper fluid if necessary
Every 7,500 Miles
Have tires rotated, check coolant level for battery, cabin heater, power inverter, accessory power, and charger modules. Check for fluid leaks. Inspect brakes. Inspect steering, suspension, and chassis for damage. Inspect power steering, halfshafts, and drive shafts for wear or damage. Check airbag and restraint system. Lubricate body components. Check accelerator pedal. Inspect gas struts. Check tire sealant if applicable.
Twice a year
Flush corrosive materials (i.e. road salt) from the underbody using plain water.
Every 15,000 miles
Replace the windshield wiper blades.
Every 36,000 miles
Replace the cabin air filter (more frequently if necessary).
Every 75,000 miles
Replace the hood and/or body lift support gas struts.
Every five years
Drain and fill the vehicle coolant circuits. Replace the brake fluid.
Every seven years
Have the air conditioning desiccant changed.
Conclusion
To sum up, electric cars do not need motor oil in order to function, though they do require other sorts of maintenance to remain in tip-top shape.
We believe in finding ways to reduce environmental impact— and thanks to the massive influx of stylish, powerful, and safe electric vehicles, you don’t have to pick between responsible choices and enjoyable driving. You can have both!
At Freedom National, we’re here to help get you insured regardless of what kind of vehicle you drive. Visit our quote page to get a fast online quote and find the perfect insurance offer based on your unique needs. We even offer people with negative driving records or who require SR-22s the chance to get insurance coverage that won’t break the bank. No matter who you are, our mission is to help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford— whether you drive an electric vehicle or not.
It’s all here at Freedom National, the best and fastest place to get cheap car insurance online.
