Understanding Electric Car Specifications
If you’re looking to buy an electric car, you have probably come across a huge list of electric car specifications when looking at models. You’re not alone if you can’t make sense of them all. Although some similar terms are used for traditional engine vehicles, there are a lot of new terms, when it comes down to battery electric cars.
Many of these different specifications are used when measuring the car’s energy consumption, efficiency, distance, e.c.t. However, specs such as battery capacity are also essential in finding the best charging solution for your EV. You will need to choose a charger that works with your car Battery capacity. So, what are all car specification meanings, and which are most important when purchasing an electric vehicle?
Electric Car Specifications
EV’s have flooded into the market in recent years. To be precise, in 2022, 16.6% of all new car sales were electric. There are continually more models being released by automakers. All with different drive styles, horsepower, accelerations times, speed and more. Researching electric car specifications when buying an EV is essential to get a breakdown of the main car features, functions, and to determine which car model is going to be the perfect fit.
All Electric Car Specifications
Since electric car specifications are vital in comparing car models and finding the best fit. Below is a breakdown of all the different EV specifications, energy consumption parameters measuring efficiency, as well as, all related electric car terms:
Energy Consumption Parameters:
kW (Kilowatts) – You may be familiar with the term kilowatts already. Kilowatts are are term of measurement used to measure power consumptions of electric goods. A lot of EV specifications use kW to show power, but some will also use horsepower (PS). Regarding your EV charger, the higher the kW, the faster your EV will charge.
kWh (Kilowatts per hour) – The battery capacity of an electric car is measures in kWh. On average an electric car uses 0,20 kWh/ km. The lower the figure, the more efficient the car.
MPGe (Miles per galon- equivalent) – MPGe is pretty explanatory in the name. It’s the equivalent measurement of a gas powered car. For example, the Tesla model 3 has 141 MPGe, so it is able to travel 141 miles with the equal amount of battery power to gallon of petrol.
NM (Newton Meter) – NM is the unit of measurement for torque, which essentially measures the cars pulling power.
WTLP Range (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Test Procedure) – WTLP measures new car fuel economy, electric driving range and emissions.
AMP (Amperes)– Amperes measure how much electricity is flowing at once, AMPS are important for EV charging. Most EV’s can take in 32A per hour, so the best charging solution is an 32-amp charging station.
Other Need-To-Know EV specs
Acceleration – Acceleration, measured in seconds, is the time it takes the EV to warm up and go.
State of Charge – Referring to the electric car dashboard display, showing the percentage of the car’s remaining battery power.
Battery capacity – This is how much power your EV battery holds. On average batteries can hold around 40 kWh, but some cars can hold around 100kWh. The Ford F-150 Lightning holds 98 kWh of battery capacity. You will have to take into consideration battery capacity when looking to purchase a home charging station.
Usable capacity– Related with the battery capacity, the usable battery capacity is what is percentage of the battery is available. Electric vehicles usually use 95-99% of available battery capacity.
Torque – Torque plays a big role in how fast your car accelerates. Essentially torque is the measure of force that results in rotation. For example, even in the motion of unscrewing the lid to a bottle of water, torque is present.
Range – Simply, is the distance your electric car can travel on a single charge. Range is the specification most new electric car owners are interested in. Since they want to know their car can travel a fair distance, without requiring constant top-up charges. According to Statistica, in 2021 the average EV had 349 km of range.
Vehicle Types – ZEV (Zero emissions vehicle), used to describe any eco friendly vehicle that does not emit any pollution into the atmosphere. A BEV, is an example of a ZEV, however PHEV and ICE vehicles don’t count as a zero emission vehicles. BEV (Battery electric vehicle), is any vehicle powered by an electric car battery. PHEV (Plug in Hybrid electric vehicle). Plug-in hybrid vehicles contain both an internal combustion engine and a battery pack onboard. ICE (Internal combustion engine), ICE cars have a traditional engine, with a gas-powered tank.
Current – There are two types of current. Electric current flows from electricity network as an alternating current (AC), then the battery charger converts the AC into direct current (DC) power. Which is then stored in the car’s onboard battery.