Do Electric Cars Consume More Power on Highways?

[NadiaLee]

Electric cars consume significantly more power on highways. When driving on highways, the motors of electric vehicles operate at high speeds for extended periods. The working characteristic of electric motors is that at high speeds, torque performance is poor, and energy conversion efficiency is low. Here is the relevant explanation: Reasons for high power consumption in electric cars: The working efficiency of a pure electric vehicle's motor is almost unaffected—it delivers maximum torque as soon as it starts and can maintain an efficiency of around 80%-90%. However, during high-speed driving, although the efficiency remains at 80%-90%, as the speed increases, wind resistance also rises. This means the electric car needs to overcome greater wind resistance, and at this point, a motor operating at full power output becomes less efficient. Advantages of electric cars: At low speeds, they can achieve their maximum efficiency, reaching 80%-90%. Additionally, when paired with the unique regenerative braking system of electric vehicles, some energy can be recovered, which to some extent enhances the cruising range of the electric car.