Are the Battery Capacity Calculations for Electric Vehicles Correct?

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SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that battery capacity is accurately defined in Amp-hours (AH), not Amps. The calculations presented demonstrate that a power output of 300,000 Watts corresponds to a current of 1,000 Amps over a duration of 1 hour, resulting in a battery capacity of 1,000 AH. The definition of AH as a measure of charge is clarified, equating 1 AH to 1 Amp multiplied by 3,600 seconds, which is essential for understanding battery performance in electric vehicles.

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  • Familiarity with the definitions of Ampere and Coulomb.
  • Knowledge of battery terminology, specifically Amp-hours (AH).
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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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