What is the drag coefficient?
The drag coefficient describes a physical quantity of the air resistance of vehicles, a measure of wind slipperiness, so to speak. The following applies: the lower the air resistance, the lower the energy requirement and therefore the greater the rangeelectric vehicle.
When designing the body, it is also about making the vehicle as aerodynamic as possible so that as little energy as possible is consumed during use. Alternative terms for the drag coefficient are drag coefficient, drag coefficient, drag coefficient or forehead resistance.
How is the drag coefficient determined?
The cW value is usually determined in a wind tunnel. The body to be viewed, i.e. approximately oneElectric car, stands on a platform that has force sensors. The force is measured in the direction of the flow. The Cw value at a given flow velocity is calculated from this resistance force F w and the already known variables of air density and frontal area.
Why is the drag coefficient so important for e-cars?
Especially with Electric cars It is crucial that progress is as easy as possible; even at 100 km/h, air resistance is the greatest driving resistance. Calculated this resistance increases with the square of the speed. Manufacturers are therefore striving for improvements in the drag coefficient and wind slipperiness when designing e-vehicles. The frontal area is largely predetermined by the vehicle segment, but changes to the entire vehicle have important effects on the drag coefficient and thus the Range.
Examples of outstanding drag coefficients in electric cars
A drag coefficient of 0.25 is considered good for electric cars. To date, the Mercedes-Benz EQS has been considered the world champion of low air resistance among production vehicles. The electric luxury sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.20 and is called the most aerodynamic production car in the world. The latest competitor to hit the market this year is the Lightyear One from the Dutch mobility start-up of the same name. Its developers emphasize aerodynamic efficiency, which reduces consumption and aRichwidth of a total of over 700 kilometers.
But the efficiency of light electric vehicles is also being worked on thanks to improved drag coefficients. Although the vehicles already impress with their long ranges thanks to their low weight, a streamlined form of efficiency can also help here. The Twike electric vehicle, for example, has a particularly good drag coefficient thanks to the capsule.