How many gears does an EV have? 

As the world becomes more environmentally friendly, the popularity and demand for electric vehicles have also increased. A common question for those new to electric vehicles is whether EVs have gears? Now, I don’t mean the gears you’ll find in a wristwatch or those you accidentally crunch trying to use a manual gear box and clutch after years of driving an automatic car.

The younger generation, which has only ever known the automatic drive train in a petrol vehicle, trying to explain how to drive a manual gearbox is like trying to explain the Theory of Relativity to someone interested in the recipe of German Strudel Cake. So, do electric cars have gears? The simple answer is yes and no. How’s that for clarity?

The basics of gears in traditional vehicles

In a traditional internal combustion engine, the gears are used to control the power and torque of an engine, which in turn affects the vehicle’s speed. The gearbox helps to keep a car operating at the ideal speed, whether in traffic or on the highway. Most modern petrol cars have an automatic gearbox and some performance models or the vintage cars need the driver to manually shift the gears, by using the clutch. 

Why do electric vehicles typically have one gear?

Electric cars don’t have gears in the traditional sense like their diesel-guzzling cousins. The majority of electric vehicles have a single-speed transmission. The reason is that electric motors can deliver power efficiently over a wide range of speeds. In layman’s terms, it’s like having a universal TV remote that can control everything without needing a manual, trying every remote button or calling your tech-savvy daughter for help.

Imagine if Usain Bolt, the famous world record holder in all his glory, ran like an internal combustion engine. He’d start with a stumble, speed up gradually, and then probably need a pit stop for a quick oil change before reaching the finish line.

Now, picture him running like an electric motor – smooth, consistent, and reaching his top speed without fuss or any shift in gear. Of course, he might still need to recharge his battery, but that’s another issue.

In an EV the motor is directly connected to the wheels, reducing and minimising the need for a transmission, otherwise known as the ‘gearbox’. Unlike an internal combustion engine which reaches its peak torque at a higher speed, an electric vehicle has maximum torque at a standstill, meaning it has instantaneous power without gears.

The lack of a clutch in EVs

In a traditional internal combustion engine, a clutch is required to engage and disengage the transmission from the engine allowing it to navigate through its gears. In an EV, the electric motor does not need to idle, and no gears need to be changed. Therefore there is no need for a clutch. This allows for a much smoother, more effortless way to drive than the older single-clutch gearboxes.

Two-speed gearboxes in electric vehicles

Now, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some electric vehicles have a two-speed transmission to cater to high-performance demands. But then again, engineers love exceptions, don’t they If something works perfectly, engineers can’t help themselves but ask, “Can we make it more complicated?”

An example of a 2-seed gearbox is the Porsche Taycan, and we are sure a German engineers was responsible for this. This Porsche model has a dual gearbox to improve efficiency at higher speeds. The two-speed gearbox guarantees faster acceleration and allows the vehicle to reach a higher top speed. The process in which this happens is highly simultaneous and requires no additional effort on the driver’s behalf.

Manual vs automatic electric vehicles

This single drivetrain in an EV allows the car to be driven in drive, reverse, and neutral; therefore, from the driver’s side of things, they would need to select which direction they want to go, and the vehicle will take care of the rest. A few mock-up designs have been proposed of a simulated manual drive train for an EV. However, this would mimic the feeling of a manual gearbox and would not affect the vehicle’s performance.

So, the next time someone asks you about gears in an electric car, you can smile knowingly and say, “Well, it’s not as simple as shifting into first.” It means that the future of driving is looking slick and smooth. No more sudden stop at the red light, when you try and take off in third gear. No more struggling with a stick shift like you’re wrestling an angry octopus. Electric cars with their simple or non-existent gear systems are leading the way in comfort and driving style.

But remember, engineers love to spice things up. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, they’ll add a new twist, like gears in an electric car, to keep you on your toes

Conclusion

In conclusion, electric vehicles typically have one gear, but there are a small number of models that include two. This does not affect driving functionality like it would in a traditional vehicle with a gasoline engine. Driving an EV is simpler and more efficient due to the instant power and lack of gears or a clutch.

Suppose you are considering purchasing an EV or other renewable energy products such as solar panels or batteries. In that case, it is recommended that you seek advice from a qualified local supplier or installer to ensure that you make the best choices for your needs. To find the right partner try our company finder and ask our recommended experts to assist you. Using a Your Energy Answer Authorised Partner will give you a well-vetted, experienced, reliable, and trustworthy company to serve your needs.