The route stretches from Italy to Hong Kong, covering approximately 9,300 miles with a target completion time of 43 days. Leading the journey is the Denza Z9 GT, a shooting-brake-style EV from BYD’s premium brand. What makes the campaign particularly interesting is that the Z9 GT pairs a substantial driving range with the ability to charge from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes.
1000 horsepower? Can we start getting cars with reasonable horsepower?
The reason why EV motors are so high power is that unlike internal combustion engines, an electric motor being capable of high power doesn’t make it less efficient during lower power use. So unlike a 1000 hp gasoline engine, an EV with 1000 hp can cruise around a city at low speeds using very little energy.
Another advantage of high power motors is that they are also high power generators for recapturing the kinetic energy in regenerative braking that charges the batteries.
EVs don’t lose efficiency with high horsepower figures… in fact, they gain stronger regen braking, which reduces brake pad wear (and means less brake pad dust polluting the environment) as well as extending range in city/residential driving and on downhill sections of road.
Excess horsepower cost more money and is less safe
Less regen braking costs more money and is less safe