Tags – Why Are Electric Vehicles Heavier
It’s not a secret – the future is electric.
But, many electrical vehicles weigh much more than some trucks.
However, these are supposed to be “environmentally friendly” and arguably, weight is the enemy of efficiency.
Which begs the question – why are electrical vehicles considerably heavier than their gas-powered competitors?
In this guide, we discuss exactly what makes these vehicles heavier.
Larger Batteries
Just so we’re clear, electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) are used to power the motors of both battery electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, and can be recharged.
And, although they do still use traditional 12-volt batteries, it’s the EVB that actually generates the power to drive.
Consequently, these vehicles have to store an enormous amount of energy in order to drive, which can only be achieved through larger batteries; when charged it sends power to the vehicle.
Inevitably, the more power and range needed, the heavier the battery will be.
For example, some Teslas can have batteries that weigh a whopping 1200 pounds and the Audi e-tron weighs in at 6000 pounds!
How Does This Compare To Gas Engines?
Even though EVB’s are extremely heavy, these vehicles don’t have the burden of a large gas engine.
As a result, it can take away from the overall curb weight.
Also, they don’t have to store petrol or diesel, which can add on the pounds, thus the overall weight is not as much as we think.
Like electric vehicles, those that are gas powered vary in weight – depending on how big the engine is and what materials are used.
Consequently, the weights range from 330 to 770 pounds.
Will Electric Vehicles Be Lighter In The Future?
Bosch is currently working towards creating a 50kWh battery that weighs only 414 pounds, and they predict that by 2025, all cars sold will have an electric powertrain.
Furthermore, they promise their battery will reach 75% charge in only 15 minutes.
Consequently, they are reducing the weight by improving lithium-ion technology and in the anode, rather than using graphite, to increase storage capacity.
Concluding Remarks
While electrical vehicles are heavy, they are still much more efficient than those that are gas-powered.
For example, the Chevy Bolt achieves a 119 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) rating and the Tesla Model X achieves a 85 MPGe, putting the mighty Prius to shame.
With that in mind, heavy does not always mean inefficiency!
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