Electric motors vs internal combustion engines

[Tabaristiio]

On average, which has higher power to weight ratio between the two? So on average, if both weighed the same, which one is going to have more power?

 

[anorlunda]

An electric motor has more power to weight

 

[anorlunda]

But an internal combustion engine plus a tank of fuel usually has more energy to weight ratio than an electric motor plus battery.

 

[Vanadium 50]

But an internal combustion engine plus a tank of fuel usually has more energy to weight ratio than an electric motor plus battery.

By a huge factor. My battery pack weighs 275 pounds, but my fuel weighs 60 - and will take the car 20x farther. Indeed, the battery pack and the engine weigh about the same, and the motor and the gas weigh about the same.

 

[CWatters]

A Tesla recently beat a Lambo in a drag race.

http://mashable.com/2017/08/21/tesla-model-x-vs-lamborghini-aventador/#bNjfV3Ep3Pqy

There are also plans for an electric dragster to take on the top fuel cars.

http://newatlas.com/top-ev-electric-drag-racing-top-fuel/50741/

 

[mheslep]

By a huge factor. My battery pack weighs 275 pounds, but my fuel weighs 60 - and will take the car 20x farther. Indeed, the battery pack and the engine weigh about the same, and the motor and the gas weigh about the same.

True, though the 'fuel' portion gets on the scale with quite a bit of a necessary baggage that the EV portion does not need: fuel n water pumps, fuel and oil and air filters, carburation or fuel injection, exhaust system, high power heat rejection, starter system, multi gear transmission, differential. Last, the ICE itself is perhaps double or triple the mass of the E motor (4x in your case?).

 

[anorlunda]

The OP gave no clues as to context. We speculate when we think he means vehicles.

 

[cosmik debris]

A Tesla recently beat a Lambo in a drag race.

http://mashable.com/2017/08/21/tesla-model-x-vs-lamborghini-aventador/#bNjfV3Ep3Pqy

But can it beat it in two races?

Cheers

 

[CWatters]

But can it beat it in two races?

Cheers

It did. It was a best of three runs. 2:1 to the Tesla.

 

[cosmik debris]

It did. It was a best of three runs. 2:1 to the Tesla.

If it was done without recharging then it is a better result. You see incredible times for some electric vehicles but they can only do one run.

Cheers