Unless you’ve driven an electric vehicle (EV) in the past, you might be surprised to discover just how quickly they accelerate. EVs use an electric motor, whereas other vehicles typically use an internal combustion engine (ICE). Aside from consuming different types of energy, EVs handle differently than other vehicles. They have lightning-fast acceleration, leading many people to believe that EVs produce instant torque.
The Basics of Torque
Torque is a turning force. Electric motors and ICEs alike produce torque, which they use to turn the wheels. Toruqe is the turning force that moves vehicles on the road.
ICEs have pistons that move up and down to produce torque. The torque is transferred to the transmission where it’s distributed to the wheels. Electric motors don’t have pistons, but they still produce torque. By consuming electricity from a battery or battery bank, electric motors will produce torque that goes directly to the wheels.
Yes, EVs Produce Instant Torque
EVs do, in fact, produce instant torque. Instant torque means that EVs can achieve peak, maximum torque at zero revolutions per minute (RPM). The same can’t be said for vehicles with an ICE. Unless a vehicle has a fully electric motor, it won’t produce instant torque. Vehicles with an ICE, as well as vehicles with a hybrid engine, take a while to produce torque.
There’s no noticeable delay from when you press the gas pedal in an EV to when the electric motor achieves the demanded amount of torque. EVs produce instant torque. This is because EVs feature an electric motor that uses an electric current and a magnetic field. An electric current will travel through the magnetized electric motor, which will produce the torque needed to power the wheels
With EVs, the torque goes directly from the electric motor to the wheels. They don’t have a multispeed transmission. This design allows EVs to produce instant torque. They will consume electricity from a battery or battery bank. The electric current will travel through a magnetic area within the electric motor to produce torque. The torque is then transferred directly from the electric motor to the wheels.
The Benefits of Instant Torque
With instant torque, EVs accelerate very quickly. You don’t have to wait for the electric motor to achieve the demanded torque. As you press the gas pedal, the electric motor will produce more torque. Releasing your foot from the gas pedal, conversely, will result in less torque.
