PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Are all electric cars automatic?
I’m thinking of buying an electric vehicle, since I care about my environmental impact, but I’ve always preferred to drive stick. Are there any EVs with manual transmissions, or are they all automatic?
Andrew Koole · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Your question highlights a very important difference between gasoline cars and EVs: the way their transmissions work. Electric cars are automatic, but not in the same way that gas cars are.
To get a better picture of how it works, think about bicycles. The transmission in a gas-powered car functions like a multi-geared mountain bike. In an electric car, it works more like a BMX or fixed-gear bike.
On a fixed-gear bike, the chain connects two gears: the one you spin with the pedals, and the one attached to the back wheel. Similarly, an EV transmission works to adjust the revolutions per minute, set by the motor, to a rate that makes sense for the car’s wheels.
Unlike the manual and automatic transmissions in gas cars, an EV’s transmission doesn’t help control the car’s rate of acceleration, at least not as much. That job is done primarily by the controller attached to the car’s accelerator, or gas pedal. All in all, electric cars are automatic, but the way their transmission functions sets them apart.
No matter what kind of car you choose, it’s always a good idea to insure it properly. If you’re looking to find the best deal on the coverage you need, check out the
Jerry
app. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy.MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
