1. What is Watts per Mile?

Watts per mile (W/mile) is a measure of energy consumption rate, showing how many watts of power are needed to move a vehicle one mile. It's commonly used to evaluate the efficiency of electric vehicles, including semi-trucks.

2. How Does the Conversion Work?

The conversion from kWh per mile to watts per mile is straightforward:

Where:

• 1 kWh = 1000 watt-hours
• Therefore, 1 kWh/mile = 1000 W/mile

Explanation: Since 1 kilowatt equals 1000 watts, converting between these units simply requires multiplying by 1000.

3. Importance for Semi-Trucks

Details: For electric semi-trucks, energy consumption is typically measured in kWh per mile. Converting to watts per mile helps in:

• Comparing with other energy measurements
• Calculating power requirements for specific routes
• Estimating battery capacity needs

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter the energy consumption in kWh per mile (3.5 kWh/mile is typical for electric semi-trucks)
• The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent in watts per mile
• Values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 3.5 kWh/mile a common value for semi-trucks?
A: This represents typical energy consumption for heavy electric trucks at highway speeds, accounting for their weight and aerodynamics.

Q2: How does this compare to passenger EVs?
A: Passenger EVs typically consume 0.25-0.35 kWh/mile (250-350 W/mile), much less than semi-trucks due to their smaller size and weight.

Q3: What factors affect a semi-truck's W/mile?
A: Speed, payload, terrain, weather, and auxiliary loads all significantly impact energy consumption.

Q4: How can this conversion help in trip planning?
A: Knowing W/mile helps calculate total energy needs for a trip when multiplied by distance, important for charging infrastructure planning.

Q5: Are there more precise ways to measure energy consumption?
A: Yes, real-world telemetry data from actual trips provides the most accurate measurements, accounting for all variables.