1. What is Watts per Mile?

Watts per mile (W/mile) is a unit that measures the energy consumption rate of electric vehicles, particularly useful in the trucking industry to compare efficiency across different vehicles and routes.

2. How Does the Conversion Work?

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

Where:

• \( kWh/mile \) — Energy consumption in kilowatt-hours per mile
• \( 1000 \) — Conversion factor (1 kWh = 1000 Wh)

Explanation: Since 1 kilowatt equals 1000 watts, we simply multiply the kWh/mile value by 1000 to get W/mile.

3. Importance for Trucking

Details: In electric trucking, understanding energy consumption in W/mile helps in route planning, battery sizing, and cost calculations. Typical electric trucks consume between 2,000-4,000 W/mile depending on load and terrain.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the energy consumption in kWh/mile (e.g., 3.5 for typical electric semi-trucks). The calculator will instantly convert it to W/mile.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert kWh/mile to W/mile?
A: W/mile provides a more granular measurement that's useful for comparing vehicles and calculating energy needs for specific routes.

Q2: What's a good W/mile value for electric trucks?
A: Values between 2,000-3,500 W/mile are typical for loaded Class 8 electric trucks. Lower values indicate better efficiency.

Q3: How does this compare to diesel trucks?
A: Diesel trucks measure efficiency in miles per gallon. For comparison, you'd need to convert fuel energy content to equivalent electrical units.

Q4: Does terrain affect W/mile?
A: Yes, hilly terrain can increase W/mile by 20-50% compared to flat routes.

Q5: How can I reduce my truck's W/mile?
A: Strategies include reducing speed, optimizing routes, proper tire inflation, and minimizing auxiliary loads.