Does an electric car have speeds?

The big difference with diesel locomotives: most electric vehicles have no speed. Indeed, the simplicity of the electric motor provides the same driving comfort as a car with an automatic transmission. With rare exceptions, an electric vehicle does not have a clutch pedal or gearbox. IZI by EDF will tell you all about the speeds and gear ratios of an electric vehicle.

Summary

Electric vehicle = without gearbox

In France, most internal combustion vehicles are equipped with a gearbox. It is he who transfers engine power to the drive wheels, depending on the speed of the car and the road. To shift 5 gears, the driver changes position with a lever while pressing the clutch.

For electric vehicles, this is a completely different story. The direct drive motor delivers the available power immediately after starting. One gear ratio allows you to reach a speed of 10 rpm, that is, maximum speed. Thus, the increase in speed occurs automatically, without jerking.

Beware of accelerations that may surprise you at the start. Moreover, the silence of the engine changes the feeling of speed. The absence of a gearbox requires a smooth ride when the acceleration and deceleration phases require special attention. 

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Electric car: the same controls as on machines

Electric vehicles do not have gearboxes. As in the interior of a car with an automatic transmission, buttons near the steering wheel allow you to select the transmission mode:

• D for "Drive": start the engine and drive forward.
• R for "Reverse": go back
• N for "Neutral": neutral
• P for "Parking": the car is stationary.

Some all-electric or hybrid models have a Brake function - Button B. This option reduces speed by using the engine brake for better energy recovery.

Please note that not all models have these features. For example, some electric vehicles, such as the Porsche Tycan, have a gear lever. The Toyota brand has a reduction gearbox with the same gear ratios as a conventional gearbox.

Electric car: the benefits of driving without a gearbox

Electric vehicles provide driving comfort with smooth, quiet gear shifting. Who said a simpler engine means less risk of breakdown and less maintenance. It takes a little bit of adaptation to capture.