Instant Torque: Do Gas Cars Outrun EVs?

May 18, 2021

Electric Vehicles (EVs are reshaping the future, as many people are already advocating sustainable ways to rebuild the economy when the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

While interest in EVs is growing steadily, many prospective buyers still have misconceptions that prevent them from switching to electric cars. Two of the typical concerns are speed and acceleration. Can Electric cars really match or even beat traditional engine powered cars (Internal Combustion Engines - ICE) when it comes to pick-up and run? Let's clear some air.

Ev Cars generate instant acceleration

Gas-powered cars need time to hit their maximum torque because they reach their maximum torque within a range of Revolutions Per Minute (RPMs) the power is transmitted through the gears of the automatic transmission to the wheels.

If you want to go from zero to 60 mph as quickly as possible, then an electric car is your choice.

Electric cars generate torque instantly without any or very small losses compared to gas-powered vehicles.  Simply because with wheels directly coupled to the motor there is no traditional transmission. Power goes directly to the wheels for instant acceleration, giving electric vehicles a quicker start.

How Does an Electric Motor Work?

An electric motor generates motion, not heat. A gas-powered engine generates torque by burning fuel, using only between 35 to 40% of the thermal energy available in the fuel to produce motion; basically with small controlled explosions. Those tiny explosions push the pistons along with interlocking pieces that connect to a driveshaft. The driveshaft rotates at approximately 4,000 RPM to reach its maximum power output; wheels rotate at a much lower speed, therefore, a gearbox reduces and transmits this power to the wheels, which adds time and mechanical (friction) losses, reducing efficiency.  

On the other hand, an electric vehicle does not generate torque through combustion. Instead, it produces motor force necessary to turn the vehicle wheels with the help of electrical current, which is induced in the rotor (wheels) instantaneously, literally transmitted through the air gap between the stator and the rotor of the electric motor to produce on-the-spot momentum.

The Benefit of the Electric Motor

The benefit of using an electric motor to power a vehicle is that it can provide maximum torque from start allowing drivers to reach highest revolution from zero RPM. This is because the electric current, which runs through a magnetic field generates the force necessary to rotate the armature and get the vehicle moving. For this reason an electric motor is used in hybrid vehicles for starting a car and then using gas engine for steady speeds for increase efficiency. The use of power modulation with modern electronic components speed can be controlled without the need for a mechanical transmission. This adds the benefits of regenerative braking - which is when slowing the vehicle the inertia is used to put energy back into the battery extending the range, and reducing the use of mechanical brakes.

With electric-powered vehicles now capable of 0 to 60 mph in less than two seconds, it is clearly the future in transportation. Newer EVs with massive torque delivery along with trendy designs will undoubtedly, make internal combustion something of the past.

The challenge now, with growing popularity, is adapting the existing electrical infrastructure to allow for the charging of more EVs as they come in line, highlighting the importance of EV charging management through load allocation or time allocation to meet EV buyers demand.

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