Most electric vehicles (EVs) do not use oil in a way that requires traditional engine maintenance. However, they can use oil as a lubricant.

Hybrid EVs that use even small amounts of gasoline have engines that require lubrication, so they need regular oil changes. The answer to the question, “Do EVs use oil?” can get a little complicated depending on the type of electric vehicle you drive.

Some do and some don’t; it all depends on the type of EV. Electric vehicles have a few different classifications and they all use oil differently.

Battery electric vehicles (BEV): These purely electric vehicles do not require oil changes because they do not use internal combustion engines. Oil products can be used elsewhere, such as in the transmission.