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Why do electric cars have a low top speed?
Most electric cars seem to have good acceleration but the top speed is poor compared to their petrol equivalents - Why?
Asked on 20 January 2023 by Grumpy Pete
Answered by
Lawrence Allan
Many electric cars have speed limiters in order to preserve range, but the main reason is because most of them run one fixed 'gear' ratio. That means lots of torque up to a certain speed (usually motorway speeds) but then a quicker drop off as the electric motor spins at too high an RPM to deliver enough torque.
If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.
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