**Between engine output and the wheels cars lose an estimated 15% of their power on average. Electric vehicles do better.**
In addition to [[I.C. Engines Efficiencies]] not being great, a standard (non-electric) vehicle loses about **15%** of the energy output by its engine to internal resistance by the time that energy makes it to the tires on the road.
I saw this figure in several places. The first listed out the losses at major components piece by piece (Driveshaft, Differential, Propeller Shaft, Gearbox, and gear mesh).
# Electric are Better
Electric vehicles are much less complicate. Less going on ⇒ less losses in all that stuff. This is a Tesla Model S drivetrain.
![[assetsUntitled]]
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# More
## Source
[https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/modp-1005-drivetrain-power-loss/](https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/modp-1005-drivetrain-power-loss/)
[Drivetrain losses (efficiency)](https://x-engineer.org/drivetrain-losses-efficiency/)
[McNally](https://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/how-much-horsepower-is-lost-from-engine-to-wheels/)
## Related
- [[I.C. Engines Efficiencies]]