Why electric cars no longer have reach instead of a lot of horsepower

The contribution why electric cars instead of a lot of horsepower no longer have reach from Fabian Peters first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.

Electric cars PS range E-cars A lot of horsepower

Many e-carmakers show off with high PS numbers. But wouldn’t it make more sense to pull more reach out of the batteries instead of performance? We’ll tell you why this equation does not work.

Electric cars often have significantly more power than combustion engines. Between 400 and 1,000 hp seem to be almost standard. But why do electric cars have such a high performance?

Why do electric cars no longer have a range instead of a lot of horsepower?

The more horsepower, the less range: this is a common assumption that appears logical at first. But this equation applies to electric cars at best. An electric car with 600 hp tends to use more energy than an electric car with 100 hp, but the range difference is less than often suspected.

For comparison: The current Tesla Model S Plaid has a battery with a capacity of 100 kilowatt hours (kWh). The company gives one Range of 600 kilometers on – at 1,020 hp. The Peugeot E-3008 also has a 100 kWh battery. As a Long Rage version, it should be on one Range of 698 kilometers come.

In reality, the range of many electric cars is often less than stated by the manufacturers, since it is influenced by various factors. Among them: air conditioning, driving style, payload or tire pressure and state. However, the example shows that the ratio between PS and range can be relatively low.

Electric motors are extremely efficient

Electric motors are significantly more efficient than combustion engines. Their efficiency is around 80 percent. Specifically means: E-cars implement 80 percent of the energy supplied. The efficiency of a diesel engine is 45 percent. That of a petrol engine at 20 to 30 percent.

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In the case of a combustion engine, the combustion chamber must also be filled, friction overcome and corridors and speeds change if you only accelerate a little. Most electric cars, on the other hand, get by with just one gear – comparable to an automatic transmission. You do not need a clutch and have a one-step gear.

In contrast to combustion engines, which have to turn up, electric motors deliver their full torque from the first revolution. This allows electric cars to accelerate very quickly and high PS numbers are possible, because due to the firm translation, the performance goes directly into the bikes.

The peak output of electric cars is usually only available for a short time, since high performance generate a lot of heat that can only be removed for a limited extent. In order to avoid overheating and wear, the power is actively throttled via software from a certain point.

Why do electric cars have so much horsepower?

Since the power of an electric motor depends on the battery, not all electric cars can bring so much horsepower to the street. Because: the higher the capacity, the more expensive the battery and the car.

However, the following applies to both combustion engines and electric cars: the more often the accelerator pedal is stepped through, the less far. A more powerful battery also weighs more and therefore costs range. However, large vehicles basically need more battery capacity to achieve a long range.

Due to the efficiency of electric automotors, high PS numbers can be used as a side effect-without losing a side effect. However, many manufacturers lure mainly with a lot of horsepower for marketing reasons. This should also make the high price tasty due to the battery.

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The contribution why electric cars instead of a lot of horsepower no longer have reach from Fabian Peters first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.


As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that the shift towards electric cars no longer prioritizing horsepower over range is a strategic and necessary one. In the early stages of electric vehicle development, manufacturers focused on creating high-performance models to dispel the myth that electric cars were slow and boring. However, as the market has matured and consumer demand has evolved, it has become clear that range anxiety is a major barrier to widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

While horsepower is certainly important for some consumers, the majority of drivers prioritize range and the ability to travel long distances without needing to constantly recharge. By shifting the focus towards increasing the range of electric vehicles, manufacturers are addressing a key concern for potential buyers and helping to overcome one of the main obstacles to mainstream adoption of electric cars.

Furthermore, advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure have made it more feasible for electric cars to have longer ranges without sacrificing performance. As the industry continues to innovate and improve, I believe we will see even greater strides in extending the range of electric vehicles, making them a more attractive option for a wider range of consumers. Ultimately, prioritizing range over horsepower is a smart move for the electric car industry and will help to drive further growth and acceptance in the market.

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