Are the Battery Capacity Calculations for Electric Vehicles Correct?

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In summary, the article examines the accuracy of battery capacity calculations for electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting discrepancies between theoretical estimates and real-world performance. It discusses factors such as temperature effects, charging habits, and battery degradation that can impact capacity. The piece calls for standardized testing and better consumer education to ensure more reliable data, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall understanding and efficiency of EV battery usage.
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Homework Statement
If an electric vehicle needs to provide 400HP for 1 hour and the vehicles battery voltage is nominally 300V, what is the absolute minimum rating of the battery capacity in Amp-Hours (1HP = 750 W)
Relevant Equations
Capacity = Current * Discharge Time
Battery Capacity = Current * Time
Power = 400 * 750 = 300000 Watts
V*I = 300000
I = 300000/300 = 1000 Amps
Battery Capacity = 1000 * 1 = 1000AH. Are the calculations correct? Why the battery capacity is defined in Amps?
 
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It seems OK.
PhysicsTest said:
Why the battery capacity is defined in Amps?
Not Amps but AH with V given as you got it.
 
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AH (Amp-hours) is a measure of charge. 1AH=1A*3600s=3600 Joules.Coulombs.
 
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PhysicsTest said:
Why the battery capacity is defined in Amps?
The battery capacity is defined in A.h or ampere-hour.
Just like a water tank accumulates volume in gallons (ready to flow out), a battery accumulates charge in coulombs (ready to flow out as well).

Please, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulomb

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampere-hour

"The SI defines the coulomb in terms of the ampere and second:
1 C = 1 A × 1 s.
The ampere is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the elementary charge e to be 1.602176634×10−19 coulombs."
 
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haruspex said:
AH (Amp-hours) is a measure of charge. 1AH=1A*3600s=3600 Joules
Coulombs, surely. Or, equivalently, Joules per Volt.
 
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FAQ: Are the Battery Capacity Calculations for Electric Vehicles Correct?

What is the basic formula to calculate the battery capacity for an electric vehicle?

The basic formula to calculate the battery capacity (in watt-hours) for an electric vehicle is: Capacity (Wh) = Power (W) × Time (h). To convert this to ampere-hours (Ah), you can use the formula: Capacity (Ah) = Capacity (Wh) / Voltage (V).

How do I determine the power consumption of an electric vehicle?

The power consumption of an electric vehicle can be determined by measuring the current (in amperes) and the voltage (in volts) of the electric motor. The power consumption (in watts) is then calculated using the formula: Power (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (A).

What is the significance of output voltage in calculating battery capacity?

The output voltage is crucial because it is used to convert the battery's capacity from watt-hours (Wh) to ampere-hours (Ah). Since battery capacity is often specified in Ah, knowing the output voltage allows for accurate conversion and comparison of different batteries.

How does the duration of operation (time) affect battery capacity calculation?

The duration of operation (time) directly affects the battery capacity calculation because it determines how long the electric vehicle can operate at a given power level. The longer the time, the higher the energy consumption, which increases the required battery capacity.

Can you provide an example calculation for battery capacity?

Sure! Suppose an electric vehicle requires 5,000 watts of power to operate and it needs to run for 2 hours. The output voltage of the battery is 100 volts. First, calculate the capacity in watt-hours: Capacity (Wh) = 5,000 W × 2 h = 10,000 Wh. Then, convert this to ampere-hours: Capacity (Ah) = 10,000 Wh / 100 V = 100 Ah. Therefore, the battery capacity needed is 100 Ah.

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