Continuous Power vs. Peak Power: Defining the Homologation Difference in Electric Cars

This episode summarizes the critical distinction between how power is measured and certified for electric vehicles (EVs) compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.Summary of EV Power CertificationThe power figure reported on the registration document (libretto) for EVs is the homologated continuous power or maximum net power, as mandated by the European UN/ECE R-85 regulation. This value represents the average power the motor can stably deliver over a 30-minute period with the accelerator fully depressed.Crucially, this continuous power is lower than the peak power (or maximum power), which the motor can reach only for brief moments, such as during acceleration or overtaking. This peak power value is often listed only on the manufacturer's technical sheets, not on the registration documents.In stark contrast, traditional ICE vehicles list their maximum power on the registration document, and these values are coincident, meaning the maximum power can be delivered continuously.This regulatory distinction offers an economic advantage to EVs. It allows EVs to have significant temporary performance, leveraging the high peak power, without incurring higher fiscal costs that are tied to the lower homologated continuous power.If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, please consider supporting the podcast with a donation at buymeacoffee.com/calpurnianews. Every contribution helps us create quality content and share valuable insights. Don’t forget to follow the channel so you won’t miss future episodes. Thank you so much to all our listeners!https://buymeacoffee.com/calpurnianews