Understanding Tesla View of HP and Torque

[G. David Felt]

G. David Felt
Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com

 

Understanding Tesla View of HP and Torque

 

Most people today understand when a person mentions Horsepower or Torque they relate it to how well a petro powered auto might perform. Faster, stronger, driving machines that compete for your hard earned dollars while giving you an in the gut experience to make one grin from ear to ear or puke depending on your own personal constitution.

 

With today's EV auto's, people are still looking to relate the EV to the horsepower and torque or HP / lb-ft that they are used to and no fully understanding that in the EV world the motors are dealing with Kilowatts and Megawatts which is the common terms used for electric motors converting electricity into motion.

 

In reviewing Tesla's Blog, I came across a posting by JB Straubel, Chief Technical Officer for Tesla. He wrote a blog titled "Tesla All Wheel Drive (Dual Motor) Power and Torque Specifications" in which he covers Electrical Horsepower, Dual versus single motor, and all wheel drive 85D and 70D covering the differences between the two.

 

One thing that I learned was that while we all know that petro auto's loose HP/Torque in higher elevations, all auto's have reduced air resistance, yet EV motors actually get faster. It is an insightful read especially about the ability to adjust their power between front and rear motor both going uphill and downhill where regenerative power capture takes place.

 

Take a look and sound off on what your thoughts are on his blog post.

 

[hyperv6]

You have to play to your strengths and instant Torque is it for Tesla. You have to give what you have as so many people consider about the things you don't have like the ability to refuel in a couple mins on the fly etc. 

 

EV cars have to be marketed differently no matter the brand because they are different. 

I think people are learning that performance is no longer golf cart like so they will have to come up with other ways to show advantages till they come with improved batteries and even faster charging. 

 

GM will market the Bolt unlike any other car they have had even the Volt. 

Edited May 22, 2016 by hyperv6