Are you interested in a car and stumble upon the specification “2.6 kW”? Sounds like little, right? Well, here’s the catch: Often, this refers to the power of an electric motor, which is given in kilowatts (kW). To convert this number into the more familiar unit “HP” (horsepower), you simply need to multiply it by 1.36. In this case, that would be 2.6 kW x 1.36 = 3.54 HP.
Imagine this: A small electric motor with 2.6 kW powers, for example, the power steering of your car. Suddenly, it doesn’t sound so little anymore, does it?
Why kW for Electric Motors?
“But why do they even use kW?” you might ask yourself. Quite simply: kW is the internationally used unit for power, not only for cars, but also for household appliances or machines. As electric motors become increasingly popular, it makes sense to become familiar with this unit.
“I’ve heard that electric motors have more power despite lower HP numbers?” your friend, who is a car mechanic, might say. And he’s right! Expert Dr. Markus Kraft from the Technical University of Munich explains: “Electric motors have higher torque, which means they deliver their full power from a standstill.” In other words: A small electric motor can have more power when starting than a large gasoline engine with significantly more HP.
2.6 kW in HP: A Real-World Example
Let’s say you are interested in an electric bicycle with a 2.6 kW motor. Does that sound like a lot or a little? Compared to a car, the number may seem small, but for an e-bike, this is already a decent amount of power! With it, you can easily handle even steeper inclines.
Conclusion
2.6 kW may not sound like much at first glance, but converted to HP, it corresponds to a respectable 3.54 HP. Especially with electric motors, the HP number is not the only criterion, because they score with high torque and deliver their full power directly when starting.
Do you have any more questions about cars and technology? Then feel free to look around on our website or contact us directly – our experts will be happy to help you!
Electric motor in a car
Car dashboard with speedometer
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