From the outside, the electric
vehicle looks like a gasoline-
powered vehicle with the exception
that the electric vehicle does not
have a tail pipe. The electric vehicle has several unique components that serve the same function as the more common components in a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Another significant difference between electric vehicles and gasoline-powered vehicles is the number of moving parts. The electric vehicle has one moving part, the motor, whereas the gasoline-powered vehicle has hundreds of moving parts. Fewer moving parts in the electric vehicle leads to another important difference. The electric vehicle requires less periodic maintenance and is more reliable. The gasoline-powered vehicle requires a wide range of maintenance, from frequent oil changes, filter replacements, periodic tune ups, and exhaust system repairs, to the less frequent component replacement, such as the water pump, fuel pump, alternator, etc.
Source : Idaho National Laboratory
