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> It seems like you responded only to the gravimetric density part of the chart and not the volumetric part of the chart.

Gravimetric (specific energy, Wh/kg or MJ/kg) energy is generally more relevant than volumetric (energy density, Wh/l or MJ/l), because batteries are about twice the density of gasoline. Weight is also more valuable than volume in most vehicles, and a battery system already takes up hardly any more than a full combustion system. For example most electric vehicles now have a front trunk just to use up the newly available space.

> For performance cars, weight is absolutely a factor. (I'm not aware of any performance cars that weigh twice as much as their competition.)

Sure, but again this is an 11% weight difference, and range matters least on a performance car. A 918 weighs 25% more than an Agera RS. If you want to talk about power density, an electric battery will beat a gas engine to absolute shreds.



> If you want to talk about power density, an electric battery will beat a gas engine to absolute shreds.

Most (all?) production electric cars struggle to do a full power complete lap of Nürburgring Nordschleife without heat-related issues. They're amazing at the Stoplight Grand Prix (and I enjoy my cheap LEAF daily), but struggle as racecars.

>> I'm not aware of any performance cars that weigh twice as much as their competition.

> Sure, but again this is an 11% weight difference

I was just responding to a previous post claiming that "performance cars in a given class can weigh DOUBLE the lightest cars in the same class", nothing more. If you claim the span is much less than double, then I agree.


> Most (all?) production electric cars struggle to do a full power complete lap of Nürburgring Nordschleife without heat-related issues. They're amazing at the Stoplight Grand Prix (and I enjoy my cheap LEAF daily), but struggle as racecars.

No, they just don't make electric race cars. There is not yet sufficient demand. Properly cooled electric batteries make as much power as f1 engines without breaking a sweat.

Sony VTC5a cells[1] are 85% efficient at their full rated power, and can sustain that continuously for their full capacity. They do 2.4 kW/kg without a gas tank, exhaust, turbos, or intake. Their ten second burst current is double that, 4.8 kW/kg. That puts it at the same level or higher than current f1 engines, which run less than 2000 km.

If you count the weight of ancillaries as you should, electric batteries come out way ahead, particularly the most powerful ones.

> I was just responding to a previous post claiming that "performance cars in a given class can weigh DOUBLE the lightest cars in the same class", nothing more. If you claim the span is much less than double, then I agree.

I was referring to the A-F market segments when I said class, not saying that performance have a weight range that large. Performance or luxury cars can weigh twice as much as a lightweight car of the same rough size.

[1]: https://voltaplex.com/media/whitepapers/specification-sheet/...


Not hugely related but VW have sent their electric hill climb car around the ring (6:05)

https://youtu.be/lRHIiJjWhWo

Very very fast although its not a racing car per se




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