Unlike passenger cars with combustion engines, which require a multi-speed gearbox, the electric motor in an electric vehicle generates a constant torque almost independently of the speed. Most electric vehicles have a much simpler single-speed gearbox with an option for neutral and reverse. Nevertheless, with the further development of the available technology, electric vehicles with multi-speed transmissions will probably also become increasingly available.
 
It is important to note that the transmission oil plays an even more important role in an electric vehicle than in a combustion engine. This is due to the fact that transmissions in electric vehicles are subject to greater stress than conventional transmissions, since the maximum torque is already present at low speeds and electric motors are being integrated more and more. The EV transmissions are developing from an electric motor with a separate electric transmission to a combined system with increased demands on the EV fluids.