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Calculating Engine Power for Cars

The document explains how to calculate the required engine power for a car at constant speed using the formula P = FT v / η, where FT represents total forces, v is velocity, and η is overall efficiency. An example calculation shows that a car traveling at 90 km/h with specific resistance forces requires approximately 19 kW of engine power. It also provides information on the energy content of gasoline, indicating that there are about 9 kWh in a liter of gasoline.

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Samyak Wankhede
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10 views1 page

Calculating Engine Power for Cars

The document explains how to calculate the required engine power for a car at constant speed using the formula P = FT v / η, where FT represents total forces, v is velocity, and η is overall efficiency. An example calculation shows that a car traveling at 90 km/h with specific resistance forces requires approximately 19 kW of engine power. It also provides information on the energy content of gasoline, indicating that there are about 9 kWh in a liter of gasoline.

Uploaded by

Samyak Wankhede
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Engine Power

Required power from an engine to keep a car at constant speed can be calculated as

P = FT v / η (1)

where

P = engine power (W)

FT = total forces acting on the car - rolling resistance force, gradient resistance force and aerodynamic
drag resistance (N)

v = velocity of the car (m/s)

η = overall efficiency in the transmission, normally ranging 0.85 (low gear) - 0.9 (direct drive)

Car and required Engine Power

The required engine power for a car driving on a flat surface with constant speed 90 km/h with
an aerodynamic resistance force 250 N and rolling resistance force 400 N and overall efficiency 0.85 -
can be calculated as

P = ((250 N) + (400 N)) (90 km/h) (1000 m/km) (1/3600 h/s) / 0.85

= 19118 W

= 19 kW

Gasoline is rated at about 46 MJ per kg, and a kWh is 3.6 MJ, so there’s about 13 kWh in every kilo
of gasoline. But gasoline is less dense than water, so a liter only holds 719 g of gasoline. So, call it
about 9kWh in a liter of gasoline.

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