Do electric cars have a gear box?

Electric cars don’t use a conventional gearbox like petrol or diesel vehicles. When driving an electric car, the experience is similar to driving a modern automatic petrol or diesel car. But, unlike traditional automatics that typically have six or more gears, electric cars usually operate with just one gear.

How do you drive an electric car?

If you’re thinking about switching from a petrol or diesel car to an EV, you might be worried about how to drive one. We’re here to reassure you that driving an EV is way easier than you might think! And if you already have a full UK driving licence, there are no additional tests you need to take.

If you have never driven an EV before, here are some top tips from us for new drivers:

1. The very first and obvious thing that you are going to notice is that there is no traditional gearstick. Instead, you’ll find a flat joystick or a set of buttons where the gearshift would normally be. To select drive, reverse, neutral, or park, you simply move the joystick or press the buttons. Accelerate with the pedal to move and brake to stop. It’s as straightforward as that.

2. There’s also no clutch! It can feel a little strange if you’ve always been used to driving a manual car, but EVs have no clutch as there’s no need to change through the gears. One great tip is to move your left leg out of the way and let your right foot do all of the work on the brake and accelerator.

3. When you start the car, it operates silently and smoothly with no vibrations. When you put the car into drive, it might make the car inch forward slightly, though some models offer an option to disable this feature. This happens because many EVs are programmed to mimic the “creep” behaviour of automatic ICE cars, which move slowly when the brake is released. It can be beneficial in low-speed situations like parking or stop-and-go traffic, as it allows for smooth and controlled movement without needing to constantly apply the accelerator. It’s also optimised to use minimal energy, so although it moves the car forward, it doesn’t consume much battery power.

4. Despite the car not having a gear stick – don’t worry, you can still accelerate! Most EVs have a single gear option, typically  with Drive, Neutral, Reverse and Park. These are usually on a small joystick or a gear selector that can be turned or twisted. The acceleration can feel quite rapid, though many cars include an Eco or Chill mode to help you ease into the driving experience.

5. When you release the accelerator, you’re likely to decelerate more quickly in an EV than in a petrol/diesel car, thanks to regenerative braking technology. This system reclaims energy during braking and stores it back in the battery, extending your driving range by about 10% and reducing brake wear, however there are varying levels of regenerative breaking between different vehicle makes and models.

Overall, a lot of drivers actually say that once they have made the switch to an EV that they would never switch back to a manual because the driving experience is so much easier and smoother. 

What are the benefits of driving an electric car?

There are tons of other benefits that come when it comes to driving an EV and we’ve got even more reasons below – there really is no better time to switch. 

Here are some of our key benefits: 

1. Ease of Use: EVs are a breeze to drive, especially in heavy traffic. No more worrying about shifting gears or using a clutch pedal.

2. Less Driver Fatigue: Without constant gear shifting, driving becomes less tiring, especially on long trips or in stop-and-go traffic.

3. Smoother Ride: EVs make for smoother acceleration and braking, giving you a more comfortable drive.

4. Focus on the Road: With fewer things to juggle, you can pay more attention to the road and your surroundings, which can make driving safer.

5. Great for City Driving: EVs are the perfect car for city driving, making it easier to handle traffic, stoplights, and frequent stops and starts.

6. Better for Hills and Traffic: They handle hills and stop-and-go traffic with ease, so you don’t have to worry about balancing the clutch and accelerator on steep slopes or in heavy traffic.

7. High Tech: Most EVs come with great features like adaptive transmissions that adjust to your driving style, making your drive more efficient and enjoyable.

8. Better for the Environment: Driving an EV helps reduce your carbon footprint and supports the move towards greener energy and eco-friendly transportation.
   
9. Lower Running Costs: Electricity is usually cheaper than petrol or diesel, especially at off-peak rates, and because EVs have fewer parts they have less maintenance and lower costs.

10. Salary Sacrifice Schemes: At ElectriX, we also offer a salary sacrifice scheme on our EVs for businesses. This means companies can help their employees save up to 40% on a brand-new EV lease!

Overall, EVs are cheaper to run, greener, more efficient, and easier to drive. They offer advanced safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). They also have zero emissions, higher energy efficiency, and eliminate the need for manual gear shifting, making them ideal for urban driving.