When it comes to electric cars, there’s no denying their impact on the automotive industry. These eco-friendly vehicles have revolutionized the way we think about transportation, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to their fossil fuel counterparts. However, there’s an aspect of electric cars that often goes unnoticed but plays a crucial role in their performance and safety: their weight.
According to experts, the 2023 GMC Hummer EV, weights over 4,000 kilograms, which inlcudes a battery over 1,300 kilograms, while a A 2023 GMC Sierra weighs less than 2,700 kilograms. So eventhough both these models are full-size pickups the weight difference is massive. According to research, the difference between an average petrol or diesel car and the average electric car is around 400 kilograms. On top of this Battery Electric Cars (BEV) and Hybrid cars are getting heavier much faster than cars with an internal combution engine (ICE) :
WHY ARE EV’S HEAVIER?
In our previous blog “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗩’𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗿?” we discussed the reasons why EV’s are getting heavier. One of the main reasons electric cars keep getting heavier is the constant push to increase the distance a car can travel on a single battery charge.
CONSEQUENCES OF WEIGHT
The increasing weight of electric cars has several consequences:
- Strain on Chassis Components: The heavier the electric car, the more it will affect chassis parts such as shock absorbers, suspension arms, struts and hubs.
- More stress on brakes: Electric vehicles are capable of reaching 0 to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds. Heavier EVs experience reduced efficiency in the braking system because the added weight contributes to higher kinetic energy during motion. This higher stress on brake components will lead to more frequent replacement.
- Reduced Efficiency: Heavier vehicles require more energy to move, which can reduce the overall efficiency and range of the electric car. This means larger and heavier batteries are necessary to compensate for the increased weight, creating a cycle that further contributes to the vehicle’s weight.
- Impact on Handling: The added weight can affect the vehicle’s handling and maneuverability, making it less agile on the road. While manufacturers attempt to decrease this problem through suspension tuning, the fundamental issue of weight remains.