Why are Electric Car Batteries Measured in Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and Not Ampere-hours (Ah)?
Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Energy Unit: Kilowatt-hours (kWh) is a unit of energy, and is used to measure the amount of energy stored in a battery.
Power and Time:
kWh takes into account both the power of a battery and the amount of time it is used, making it a more accurate measurement of the energy stored in a battery.
Ampere-hours (Ah)
Charge Unit: Ampere-hours (Ah) is a unit of charge, and is used to measure the amount of electrical charge stored in a battery.
Limited Information:
Ah provides limited information about the energy stored in a battery, as it only considers the amount of charge stored, and not the power of the battery.
Battery Performance:
Power Output: The power output of a battery is important when considering its performance, as it determines how quickly the battery can discharge its energy.
Energy Consumption:
kWh takes into account both the power output of the battery and the amount of energy it consumes over time, providing a more complete picture of the battery's performance.
Battery Range:
Range Estimation: When estimating the range of an electric car, it is important to consider the amount of energy stored in the battery, as well as the rate at which it is consumed.
kWh Measurement:
kWh provides a more accurate measurement of the amount of energy stored in a battery, and is therefore a better unit for estimating the range of an electric car.
Overall:
In conclusion, kWh is a more accurate and comprehensive measurement of the energy stored in an electric car battery than Ah, the power output of the battery and the amount of energy it consumes over time.