How Much Does an Electric Vehicle Weigh?

Last Updated on January 1, 2023 by

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The average weight of an electric car is about 4000 lbs, which is 750 lbs heavier than a gas-powered car. Although EV electric motors are only about 60% as heavy as a comparable petrol engine, electric vehicle batteries which can weight between 1000 and 2000 lbs.

Table – Some Electric Car Weights Compared

Electric vehicles are widely considered to be the future of automobiles. They have transformed almost every aspect of transportation, from carbon emissions and fuel consumption to repair costs and driving habits.

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An unexplored issue with electric vehicles is regarding their weight. Electric cars are known to be significantly heavier than traditional cars.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the weight of electric cars.

Weight of electric cars vs gasoline

It’s an established fact that electric cars are heavier than gasoline ones, and the main reason behind their weight are the heavier batteries.

There are a host of other reasons too that make electric cars heavier. Here are some of them –

1. Battery Packs: Electric cars usually consist of several identical batteries which are arranged in a series or parallel manner to provide the desired power density to the car.

And these battery packs are heavy. For instance, the weight of the Tesla Model S is 2,241 kg and the battery (544kg) weighs almost 24% of the car’s total mass.

2. Battery Metal Encasing: The electric car batteries also come with a strong and heavy encasing to protect the battery from any damage. This also contributes some weight to the car.

3. Electronics: Electric cars also have a large number of extra electronic components like cameras, sensors, and computers, besides cabling. The added weight of these components contribute to make the car heavier.

4. Accessories: To provide additional comfort to the users, electric cars are often fitted with plush seats, infotainment systems, and heating and ventilation system. All these accessories also contribute to the weight of the car.

5. Heavy body structure: The components of an electric car, like the electric control, battery, suspension, are significantly heavier than traditional cars. To hold these components together, the framework and body of the car are also made equally strong with thick metal.

6. Strong Suspension: Since the body of the electric car is quite heavy, the suspension is also made beefier than traditional cars to handle all the extra weight.

7. Charging Hardware: The additional charging equipment in electric cars also adds to their weight.

What is the average weight of an electric car battery?

It’s a well-established fact that electric cars are the heaviest vehicles in the automobile industry, and a major reason behind their weight is the heavier batteries.

Take a Tesla car for example. The average battery weight of a Tesla is around 450 kg or 1000 pounds, which is a lot of weight for just one component.

But the question remains – what makes the batteries in electric cars so heavy? The fact is that electric car batteries contain a large amount of lead and lithium, which are used to make the batteries strong enough to power the car.

The simple rule of thumb is that the bigger the battery kWh, the more will be the weight.

How heavy is a lithium car battery?

We have already discussed in the previous point that the batteries also require a stronger casing, which further adds to the weight of the battery component.

When we compare the weight of traditional car batteries with an electric car battery, this is what we get –

• The average weight of a regular automobile battery (12 volts) is around 18 kg or 40 pounds.
• The average weight of a fully electric car battery is around 450kg or 1,000 pounds.

It’s amply evident that the weight of an electric car battery is almost 10 times the weight of a regular car.

The car batteries can be as light as 25 pounds or as heavy as 1,836 pounds. In fact, the battery weight of a planned Tesla Semi is slated to go up to around 8,000 pounds!

Electric vehicle weight distribution

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The weight of an electric car is essentially distributed in three ways – curb weight, gross weight, and towing capacity.

1. Curb Weight: This refers to the weight of the electric car without the cargo, driver, and passengers. Curb weight is the weight of the car with just the standard equipment like electronics, motors, fuel tanks, etc.

2. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): This refers to the maximum weight of the car, and it accounts for everything, including curb weight along with the added cargo and passengers.

However, gross vehicle weight is very different from the gross vehicle weight rating. While the GVW rating is the maximum weight the car can handle, the GVW is the total weight of the car at a particular point of time.

3. Toping Capacity: This refers to the amount of weight your electric car can tow at a time. This measure is important if you plan to use the electric car for towing-related tasks.

Here is the weight distribution of some popular electric cars –

• BMW i3 (small class): Curb Weight-1345 kg, Battery Weight-308 kg, Remaining Curb Weight-1037kg
• Nissan Leaf (compact class): Curb weight-1545 kg, Battery Weight-293 kg, Remaining Curb Weight-1252 kg
• Tesla Model 3 (middle class): Curb weight-1611kg, Battery Weight-404 kg, Remaining Curb Weight-1207 kg
• Tesla Model S (upper class): Curb weight-2290 kg, Battery Weight-734 kg, Remaining Curb Weight-1556 kg

Compare the Tesla weight vs regular car

To understand the weight of electric cars better, let’s do a comparison between Tesla cars and the regular car models. The weight of the latest Teslas is known to range from 2,723 pounds to 5,390 pounds.

Here is a model-by-model breakdown –

• Tesla Roadster – 2,723 pounds
• Model 3 (Standard Range Plus) – 3,582 pounds
• Model 3 (Long Range/Performance) – 4,065 pounds
• Model S (Plaid) – 4,786 pounds
• Model S (Long Range) – 4,561 pounds
• Model Y (Long Range/Performance) – 4,416 pounds
• Model X (Long Range) – 5,185 pounds
• Model X (Plaid) – 5,390 pounds

Now, let’s take a look at the comparison of Tesla models with a similar-sized regular car –

• Tesla Model 3 (Long Range with AWD) weighs around 4,065 pounds, which is 379 pounds heavier than the BMW 330i XDrive.
• Tesla Model S (Long Range) weighs around 4,560 pounds, which is around 510 pounds heavier than BMW 540i XDrive.

Electric car battery weight per kWh

The capacity and size of an electric car battery is measured in kWh (Kilowatt Hour). Here is a table showing the capacity of common electric car batteries according to their weight –

Battery Size                         Average Weight

22 kWh                        165 kg or 363 pounds

30 kWh                        248 kg or 547 pounds

40 kWh                        305 kg or 672 pounds

50 kWh                        326 kg or 718 pounds

60 kWh                        430 kg or 948 pounds

70 kWh                        500 kg or 1,102 pounds

80 kWh                        575 kg or 1,267 pounds

90 kWh                        630 kg or 1,389 pounds

100 kWh                      700 kg or 1,543 pounds

200 kWh                      833 kg or 1,836 pounds

600 kWh                     3538 kg or 7800 pounds

According to news reports, the Tesla Semi, which is supposed to be launched in 2023 (tentatively), is going to be fitted with a 600 kWh battery.

This means that the weight of the battery itself will be around 7,800 pounds, which will make it the heaviest electric vehicle in the market.

What is the heaviest electric car?

We have already established the reasons that make electric cars heavier than traditional gasoline cars. Now, let’s take a look at the heaviest electric cars in the market today.

It has been found that the heaviest electric vehicle (EV) in the market today is the Mercedes-Benz EQV, which is a luxury passenger van weighing almost 3,000 kg. Next comes the Audi e-tron 55, which is an SUV weight almost 2,720 kg.

The third-heaviest electric car is another SUV, the Mercedes-Benz EQC, which weighs in at around 2,620 kg.

In a list of over 70 electric vehicles, almost one-third of the cars weigh over 2,000 kg. According to this list, the average weight of electric vehicles comes up to around 1,940 kg.

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FAQ for “How much does an electric vehicle weigh?”

How does the weight of an electric vehicle compare to a car with an internal combustion engine?

On average, electric vehicles tend to be heavier than cars with internal combustion engines due to the weight of the batteries and electric motor. However, some newer electric models have been designed with weight in mind, using new lightweight materials to offset the weight of the batteries and improve energy efficiency.

How does the weight of a GMC Hummer EV Pickup compare to other pickups?

The GMC Hummer EV Pickup is expected to weigh around 8,000 lbs, which is on par with other large commercial pickups. However, the GMC Hummer Edition is expected to be significantly heavier due to its metal armor and other features.

Do hybrid cars weigh more than electric vehicles?

It depends on the specific model. Some hybrid cars use smaller batteries and may be lighter than their all-electric counterparts, while others may be heavier due to the weight of the internal combustion engine and additional components.

How does the weight of recreational vehicles, like golf carts and electric bikes, compare to regular electric vehicles?

Recreational vehicles like golf carts and electric bikes are generally much lighter than electric cars, as they are designed for short trips and do not need as much battery capacity. Golf carts typically weigh around 600-1,000 lbs, while electric bikes can weigh as little as 20-30 lbs.

How does the weight of an electric vehicle affect its energy efficiency and driving range?

In general, the heavier an electric vehicle is, the more energy it will need to move, which can affect its energy efficiency and driving range. This is why newer electric models are using lightweight materials to reduce weight and improve their energy efficiency.

How do the weight and materials used in electric vehicles impact their recyclability?

The weight of an electric vehicle can impact its recyclability, as heavier vehicles may require more energy to disassemble and recycle. The materials used in electric vehicles can also affect their recyclability, with some materials being more valuable and easier to recycle than others.

How does the weight of an electric vehicle impact its crash safety?

The weight of an electric vehicle can affect its crash safety in several ways. In general, heavier vehicles may be more resistant to damage in a collision, but they may also cause more damage to other vehicles and road surfaces. The materials used in electric vehicles can also impact their crash safety, with some materials being stronger and more impact-resistant than others.

How do consumer preferences and the auto industry’s shift towards electrification impact the weight of electric vehicles?

As more consumers show a preference for electric vehicles, and as the auto industry shifts towards electrification, there is likely to be an increased focus on developing electric vehicles that are lighter and more energy efficient. This could involve the use of new lightweight materials, as well as the development of smaller and more energy-dense batteries.

How do hybrid cars, which combine electric and internal combustion technologies, impact the weight of vehicles?

Hybrid cars, which use both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, can be heavier than pure electric vehicles due to the weight of the additional components. However, hybrid cars may be lighter than traditional internal combustion engine cars due to the smaller size of their engines and the use of lightweight materials.

How do regulatory agencies, like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Environmental Protection Agency, evaluate the weight of electric vehicles?

Regulatory agencies, like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), evaluate the weight of electric vehicles in order to determine their impact on safety and the environment. The IIHS uses a vehicle’s weight as one factor in determining its overall safety rating, as heavier vehicles tend to fare better in collisions than lighter ones. The EPA uses a vehicle’s weight, among other factors, to determine its fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.

Are electric vehicles heavier?

If you’ve heard that the weight of electric vehicles is significantly higher than diesel or petrol variants, then you’ve heard correctly. It’s a well-established fact that electric vehicles are the heaviest cars in the automobile industry.

This is largely because of the heavier batteries, stronger battery cases, and additional electronic equipment and accessories.

If we take the example of a Tesla car battery, it is known to weigh almost 450 kg or 1,000 pounds. That is a lot of weight for a single component of the car.

Are electric vehicles heavier or lighter?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly heavier than gasoline-powered cars. This is primarily because of their larger battery packs.

Another reason for their greater weight is that the engineers have to design the vehicle to carry the heavy battery packs.

The heavier body structure, extra accessories, and equipment all contribute to add to the additional weight of the car.

Are electric cars heavier than ICE cars?

Yes. Electric cars are heavier than ICE cars. To understand this better, here is a comparison between the average weight of an ICE car and an EV –

Electric cars: Most of the electric cars on the road today weigh between 3,300 to 4,000 pounds. Most of the EV options in the market weigh over 3,330 pounds, and they can go up to 5,800 pounds (the Mercedes EQV).

ICE cars: The weight of a regular ICE car usually ranges from 2,900 to 3,200 pounds. This makes electric cars almost 750 pounds heavier than traditional ICE cars.

Are Teslas heavier than normal cars?

The average weight of a normal car is around 3,000 pounds, while the average weight of a Tesla is around 4,602 pounds.

This translates into a 53% increase in weight, which is largely due to the heavier battery back in a Tesla.