Every vehicle has a transmission system to transfer the power from the engine/motor to the wheels. So the answer to ” Do electric cars have transmission? ” is yes.
EVs have transmission systems, but we will explore them here in this example, whether they’re single-speed or multi-speed transmissions.
But before that, we need to understand why we need vehicle transmission systems.
Why Do We Need Transmission In Vehicles?
A transmission system is required to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. A typical IC engine can rev up to 7000 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute). However, the power required on wheels may vary based on how the vehicle moves.
For example, starting a car from a standstill requires more power. However, when the vehicle starts rolling, the power requirement is reduced. That’s where the concept of a multi-speed transmission system comes into the picture.
In a multi-speed transmission system, the power output to the wheels varies depending on the gear you are in.
If you need more power, low gears (larger diameter gears) engage, and you get more power. However, smaller gears are engaged for low power (at high speeds).
So, basically, an IC engine can not give a constant torque at varying RPM levels, and that is why we need multi-speed gear technology to get the required power to the wheels. The gear ratios are carefully set to achieve this.
Do Electric Cars Have Transmission?
Yes, Electric cars also have transmissions. But they are mostly single-speed transmissions. The reason is the electric motor, which can give constant torque at a wide range of RPM levels.
Electric vehicle motors can reach as high as 20000 RPM, whereas an IC engine can reach 7000-8000 RPM.
Also, the torque of an electric motor is almost the same whether you drive it at 1000 RPM or 20000 RPM.
That is why EVs only need a single-speed transmission system to transfer power; the speed does not need to vary to provide the required torque at the wheels.
Electric motors deliver power instantly, meaning building up torque through revving, as in internal combustion engines, is unnecessary.
Having said that, it is not impossible to add a multi-speed transmission system to EVs, but it is not required for general consumers. However, the sports EV car has one.
Conclusion: Do Electric Cars Have Transmission?
Yes, they do, but only with a single-speed transmission, as the electric motor can provide a constant torque output at a broad band of RPM levels.
Also, the RPM range is very high compared to any IC engine. It does not need to build up power by revving the engine. It gets a flat torque output at almost any RPM level.
