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Not really. Efficiency doesn't change much based on torque. See here for Leaf: https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4844105739_3795e703f2_b...

There is very little downside to putting a bigger motor than needed in an EV, other than a bit of extra weight to move around. As long as you don't use that power, (fast acceleration), you won't pay for it.

That said, 221 lb-ft of torque isn't very much. They don't say at what rpm that is. Most EVs are electronically torque limited at low rpm. Assuming the peak torque is around 2000 rpm, that's only 84 hp.

(My biggest pet peeve is torque without rpm -- it's meaningless!)



This rant about horsepower here has always stuck with me (and this is an 11 year old article):

http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/080909

(Unfortunately you need to search for the section "Hold Your Horsepower")

I assume the same would apply to electric vehicles. It seems insane to continue the power arms race with cars given the detrimental impact is has.


> My biggest pet peeve is torque without rpm

In EVs the max torque is available at 0 RPM, so it doesn’t really matter (and the drop off curve will be almost the same for every electric motor).




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