Do Electric Cars Have Gears?

Thinking of taking out an electric lease car, but only ever driven a manual?

Most electric cars (EVs) don't have gears, so that must make them the same as automatics, right?

Well, not exactly.

You see, although they drive similarly, electric cars actually go a step further. We're going to be telling you why that is, and what the benefits are of an electric car.

Hopefully sending you on your way to a truly 'electric' leasing journey!

Sit tight, amigos.

How Do Electric Cars Work?

Driving an electric car is about as simple as it gets. There's no clutch pedal, no gearbox and no gearstick. Instead, you'll simply find a switch or a button with the following three options: 'drive', 'park', 'reverse'.

As such, when you accelerate in an EV, there’s no feeling that the car is ‘working through the gears'. It’s very much a case of touch and go, with one setting for all speeds and a real go-kart like feel.

It's almost too easy.

For more info on EVs and their minor variations, why not take a look at our types of electric vehicle guide?

Are Electric Cars Automatic?

Sort of, but not quite.

Electric cars feel almost identical to automatic cars, but because electric cars use only a single gear, they're actually quite different when it comes to powertrain. Whilst petrol and diesel engines can be linked to both manual and automatic transmissions, the single gear of an electric car means there's no need to change gear either manually or automatically. And because there's only one gear, it's not correct to speak of a 'gearbox' at all.

The best way to think about an EV is as a simplified automatic.

Why Do Electric Cars Only Have One Gear?

We won't go too much into the mechanics behind it, but it's basically because they can get all of their rpm (revs per minute) power from a single electric motor.

The power efficiency inside an electric car is more than double that of a petrol or a diesel one. For example, most EV electric motors can be revved up to 20,000rpm, whereas the average petrol or diesel engine can only rev to around 6,000rpm.

When driving a manual car, you'll notice that you can only go so fast in 1st gear before having to move up to 2nd gear, then 3rd gear, and so on. These are called power bands. But with an electric vehicle, the greater responsiveness and instant power means that power bands aren't a thing. Hence the single gear.

Another reason has to do with the cost of producing an electric vehicle. Adding a manual transmission would only increase the cost it takes to build it, not to mention the weight of the car, which would probably lead to a larger asking price and not much more efficiency to show for it.

So vehicle manufacturers could install electric cars with manual transmission if they wanted to. It just wouldn't make much sense to do that.

Can You Get Manual Electric Cars?

They're verrryy rare. But yes, they do exist.

Whilst virtually all electric vehicles are non-manual, a select few operate via a manual transmission system. For example, in 2019 Ford introduced its newest electric Mustang with six-speed manual transmission. There's also the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo which can be delivered with a two-speed rear axle transmission.

So there's not many manual electrics out there . . . which can be bit of a disappointment for those drivers who enjoy the old-fashioned feel of a clutch.

Manufacturers know this, and that's why Toyota has proposed a “simulated manual gearbox” for electric cars. What this does is imitate the feel of a manual gearbox for those who want it. enjoy the act of manual driving. It's purely a cosmetic feature though, as there's no performance benefit. Just a nice prop for anyone who loves a manual drive.

Advantages of Automatic EVs

1. Cheaper to repair/maintain: Their simple design helps keeps repair and maintenance costs at a minimum. An electric car faces fewer wear and tear issues thanks to the absence of a complex clutch system needed to disengage an engine for selecting multiple gears.

2. Instant torque/power: Because they don't have to rely on an internal combustion process (the burning of fuel) in order to get things moving, electric cars are instant in their delivery of power. That's unlike a standard petrol or diesel car which can take a lot longer to get up to speed.

3. Convenience: Besides not having to visit fuel stations, electric cars give you less tasks to do behind the wheel. Your speed changes automatically so there’s no gear shifting and no need to press down on a clutch as you would in a regular ICE (internal combustion) vehicle. Even better, there's no need to gear down at junctions to avoid stalling. In fact, it's impossible to stall in an electric car.

Disadvantages of Automatic EVs

1. Unfamiliar driving experience: If you're coming straight from a manual car, adjusting to the electric way of life can sometimes be difficult. Having no gears does make things more intuitive, but it also means less control. Not being able to operate a clutch could be seen as missing out on that engaging driving experience which connects driver and machine.

2. No revs: See yourself as a bit of a petrol head? If so, then you'll probably miss that distinctive roar of the engine as it revs its way up through the gears. That's because EVs are pretty much silent. Although they actually have higher revs than a standard car, that power isn't reflected in the roar of an engine. An EV doesn’t need to burn any fuel before power is sent to the wheels. It’s a simple case of pressing the accelerator, at which point the electric motor rotates and sends power to the wheels.

(Possible solution: a team of sound engineers at Audi have been hard at work on the definitive soundtrack to electric car driving, so that you when you accelerate in an EV, you'll be able to hear something akin to the sound of an engine.)

3. Charging: Not having to visit smelly fuel stations can be a major plus point, but it could also be a disadvantage depending on your access to charging points and how long it takes for your battery to charge.

Can You Drive an Electric Car on an Automatic License?

A manual license lets you drive pretty much anything, but with an automatic license, you're restricted to just automatic cars and EVs.

This is an important point to note, because some driving instructors are now switching to electric cars like the Nissan Leaf to save on running costs, especially after having lost out on business throughout the Covid period.

However, whilst electric cars may be simple to drive and easier to pass your test in, once you get your license, you won't be able to drive a manual car. Also, if you want to drive an EV which weighs more than 3.5 tonnes, you’ll need to undergo an additional five hours of training.

What About Hybrid Cars?

That covers EVs, but what about 'mild hybrids' and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) which have both an electric motor and a petrol or a diesel engine?

Well, similar to electrics, most modern hybrid cars also have an automatic drive style, making them just as simple to drive.

However, under the skin, the systems used are quite different.

For example, the now defunct BMW i8 sports car used a BMW two-gear system while Toyota’s hybrids have a more conventional CVT transmission, using a belt moving between two cones to ensure the engine speed is right for either economy or performance.

And as EVs and hybrids become increasingly popular and more affordable, especially as we get closer to the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, you can expect even more options and technological advancements.

Conclusion

Well amigos, that about covers it on why electric cars don't have gears.

They might be unappealing to a few drivers who prefer an old-fashioned manual transmission (not to mention the more expensive lease prices of electric cars), but they also deliver a more seamless and straightforward driving experience than any manual car can hope to match.

If you prefer manual, go manual. But if you prefer automatic, why not go with an EV rather than a standard automatic car and maybe risk paying that little bit extra? An electric car feels just the same, only better.

Plus, you'll be doing good for the environment!

FAQs

Do any electric cars have gears?

While some cars do have multiple gears, the vast majority of electric vehicles don't.

Do electric cars need to shift gears?

Because electric cars only use a single gear, there's no need to change gear either manually or with an automatic transmission.

Does Tesla have gearbox?

Because Teslas are electric vehicles with one single gear, they don't have gearboxes.

Are hybrid cars automatic?

Although some mild hybrids run on a manual gearbox, most hybrids are automatic.