November 23, 2022 . 4 min read

Do Electric Cars have Transmissions? - How Electric Car Transmission Works? 

Electric car sales are growing rapidly when you compare the sales of 2021 and 2022. So, people who are thinking or planning to own an electric vehicle in 2023 should aware of some basic information like prices, specs, performance, reviews on models, and a lot more. 

Mostly, today EVCarsHub.com decided to spread details about do electric cars have transmissions or not along with electric vehicle transmission systems, types of transmission used in EVs, how EV Transmission work, etc. Let's jump into the guide and gain enough knowledge about electric vehicle transmission. 

What is a Transmission? | What Does a Transmission Do?

A machine that transmits power is called a transmission thus every car has a transmission. Also, it is a major part of the vehicle in the car and it locates on the chassis of a vehicle in the front. Transmission works based on the type of transmission in EV. You can see different car transmissions like manual, automatic, and CVT that benefit from effective operations. 

In manual transmissions, there are various types such as Unsynchronized, Automated, Single-clutch, Dual-Clutch, Synchronized/Constant Mesh, and Preselector. Let’s dig deeper into this guide and learn more about EV Transmission. 

Do EVs have Transmissions?

Yes, EVs have transmissions like gas-powered cars but they do have a single-speed transmission, not a conventional multispeed transmission. A single-speed transmission is enough to help electric motors produce their power once they begin to turn and continue generating it across a comprehensive rev range. 

Some EVs still need gears with one-speed transmission to change the electric motors' drive-gear ratio and transfer power to a differential that divides power between the wheels. But in numerous EVs, select reverse and make the electric motor spin in the opposite direction, hence, it doesn't require separate gears. 

Electric Vehicle Transmission: Gears on Electric Cars 

Indeed, EVs have transmissions, however, it works differently compared to a standard gas-powered car. Electric car motors are proficient in producing near-rapid torque so peak power happens immediately as it requires only a single-speed transmission. So that it accelerates immediately with full power as you press the pedal down in the EV. 

Commonly, people think of the transmission as the part of an engine that changes gears from low to high speed or from forward to reverse as seen in manual transmission and automatic transmission. For more information on EV transmission and how it works let's see the below module. 

How Electric Car Transmission Works? 

The steps on how EV transmission works are as discussed below: 

  • When you step on the accelerator, the motor spins and then the gearbox spins. 
  • As it refers to the transmission in an Electric vehicle. After spinning the motor and gearbox, the EV starts to move and it rotates at a rate of 20,000 rpm! whereas gas-powered engines can be upto 7,000 rpm. 
  • If you put your EV into reverse then the electric motor spin backward and the transmission of the EV has a split gear that moves in reverse. 

Why don't electric cars have transmissions?

EVs don’t need transmissions like multi-speed transmissions because the engine in an Electric car, is an electric motor. Whereas Internal combustion engines need various gears with distinct ratios for power production, electric motors result in a constant amount of torque at any specified RPM during a specific range. 

FAQs on EV Transmission 

  1. What kind of transmissions do electric cars have? 

A single-speed transmission type is used in electric cars as it accelerates instantly with the help of all the power in the electric vehicle. 

  1. Do electric cars have CVT transmissions? 

No, EVs do not have a CVT (continuously-variable transmission). 

  1. Do electric vehicles use transmission fluid?

Yes, electric cars have transmission fluid. It also requires coolant and brake fluid to perform smooth driving. 

  1. What are the types of transmissions in cars? 

There are various types of transmissions exist in this modern car technology. They are as such, automatic transmission, CVT, and manual transmission. 

  1. Name the type of transmission used in Electric cars? 

There are two types of transmission mostly used in EVs, they are Single speed Transmission and Multi-speed Transmission. Fuel efficiency, speed- torque variation, motor efficiency, power, price, weight, etc. are some of the major factors that impact the transmission in Electric vehicles. 

Final Thoughts

We have reached the bottom of our guide and hope the shared information on do electric cars have transmissions makes you gain some knowledge before purchasing an EV. We feel getting some more awareness about electric vehicles like do EVs have gears, do electric cars uses oil, how electric car work, and more will help you choose the best electric car in 2023. 

To make your job even easier visit EVCarsHub.com and check the updated details on different electric vehicle types, sports EVs, Smallest Electric Cars, trucks, etc. with prices and specs.