What are the Benefits of Torque in Electric Cars?
What are the Benefits of Torque in Electric Cars?
We all know about the greater efficiency and tax benefits of electric cars.
Another key advantage of the EV driving experience is having instant torque.
EVs are powered by an electric motor and battery. Therefore, what’s going on under the bonnet is very different from the processes that happen in an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). Instant torque is the result of the electric energy-producing process and is therefore unachievable in a conventional petrol or diesel car.
Let’s find out more about how electric cars produce instant torque and why it’s considered one of the unrivalled performance benefits of electric cars.
What is torque in cars?
Torque is a measurement of a car engine’s rotational force. Simply put, it refers to how much power an engine can produce. It is often used to describe pulling power. Therefore, the more torque a vehicle has, the faster it can accelerate.
The larger and heavier a vehicle is, the more important torque becomes. As you can imagine, more force and engine power are required to propel these vehicles.
In recent decades, due to the demand for larger cars like SUVs and more safety equipment and technology, cars have become relatively heavier and larger. This extra weight has meant more engine power is required to get the vehicles moving. Torque has therefore become an important selling point for drivers and prospective buyers.
Both ICEs and electric motors produce torque, but how they do so is very different. In an Internal Combustion Engine, torque is produced by the motion of pistons moving up and down. This is then transferred to the transmission, where it’s distributed to the wheels. In petrol and diesel cars, torque increases with higher Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), which means it takes a little while to reach maximum torque.
How do EVs achieve instant torque?
Electric cars can deliver maximum torque immediately after pressing the accelerator, at 0 RPM. This is known as instant torque.
Unlike ICE cars, electric cars
don’t require fuel and therefore don’t use a traditional transmission. The energy generated by the motor is transferred directly to the wheels. As a result, electric cars can deliver peak output immediately, enabling instant acceleration.
Benefits of instant torque in electric cars
Thanks to instant torque, electric cars have various performance benefits over their petrol and diesel counterparts. These include:
• Instant acceleration – Electric cars are known for accelerating far more quickly than conventional ICE vehicles, and this is down to instant torque. This makes EVs far more reliable for practices like overtaking or joining a motorway via a slip road.
• Higher responsiveness – Because of instant torque in EVs, there’s no delay between a driver pushing the accelerator and the electric motor delivering maximum output. As a result, electric cars can provide a far more responsive and dynamic driving experience.
• Greater efficiency – Unlike what happens in ICEs, the energy generated in an electric motor doesn’t have to pass through a transmission and is immediately delivered to the wheels. This minimises any energy loss during acceleration, maximising efficiency.
• Better off-roading capabilities – By achieving instant torque, electric cars are better equipped to deal with climbing steep inclines or driving over loose surfaces, as they can deliver instant acceleration on any surface.
• Smoother driving – Because EVs do not have a transmission, they offer a smoother driving experience, without the need to change gears. This results in a more comfortable passenger environment and minimises cabin noise, further enhancing rider comfort.
Of course, even with the benefits of having instant torque, EV drivers must also remain aware of the need to drive at appropriate speeds at all times. Indeed, new EV drivers can benefit from taking the time to get used to their vehicles before attempting motorway or long-distance driving.
If you’re ready to make the switch to electric, join the Kia family and browse our award-winning electric car
range today.
Images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be to full UK specification. Features shown are not standard across the Kia model range and availability will vary dependant on model. For further details please refer to the individual model specification sheets.
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*The range was determined according to the standardised EU measurement procedure (WLTP). The individual driving style and other factors, such as speed, outside temperature, topography and the use of electricity-consuming devices/units, have an influence on the real-life range and can possibly reduce it.