ICE Power Input

Power Conversion Dashboard

Type any value to instantly calculate the other two. All conversions update in real time.

BHP / SAE HP
HP
cv / ch / Pferdestärke
PS
EV Standard Unit
kW
Live Result

Enter any power value above to see the full conversion.

EV Context

EV Powertrain Equivalency

Real-world EV models that match your calculated kW output.

Rough EV Equivalent
Enter a power value above
Your converted kW output will map to a real-world EV class here.

Key Terms Explained

Essential vocabulary for understanding power units and EV technology.

Kilowatt (kW)
The SI standard unit of power equal to 1,000 watts. Used globally for rating electric motors, EV charge speeds, and grid power output. 1 kW = 1.34102 Mechanical HP.
Mechanical Horsepower (HP)
The Anglo-American standard power unit defined as 550 foot-pounds per second by James Watt. Used in US and UK car specs. 1 HP = 0.745699872 kW exactly.
Brake Horsepower (BHP)
Mechanical horsepower measured at the crankshaft output using a brake dynamometer. BHP excludes drivetrain losses, so it represents the engine's gross power output before reaching the wheels.
Metric Horsepower (PS)
The European power standard (Pferdestärke in German, cv in French, ch in Spanish). Defined as lifting 75 kg by 1 meter per second. 1 PS = 0.73549875 kW, slightly less than 1 HP.
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
A heat engine where fuel burns inside cylinders to push pistons and generate rotational force. Power peaks at a specific RPM range and must climb through the rev band before reaching maximum output.
EV Powertrain
The electric drive system in a battery electric vehicle: battery pack, inverter, electric motor(s), and fixed-ratio reduction gear. Power is rated in kilowatts and torque in Newton-meters (Nm).
Instant Torque
The defining performance characteristic of electric motors: maximum torque is available from 0 RPM, giving EVs explosive acceleration off the line compared to combustion engines that must rev up first.
Power Band
The RPM range in which an ICE engine produces its peak power output. Outside this band, power drops significantly, requiring gear changes to keep the engine in its optimal operating range.

The Complete Guide to HP, PS, kW, and EV Power Conversion

Whether you are shopping for an electric vehicle, comparing specs across global car markets, or researching the ICE-to-EV transition, understanding how horsepower relates to kilowatts is essential. This guide explains the math, the history, and the real-world differences between combustion and electric power ratings.

How to Use This Converter

Type any value into any one of the three input fields: Mechanical HP, Metric PS, or Kilowatts. The other two fields update automatically as you type. There is no submit button and no delay. The power gauge below the inputs shows where your converted kW value sits on the automotive power spectrum, from a city commuter (around 60 kW) all the way up to a hypercar (1000 kW and above). The EV Equivalency panel gives real-world context by mapping your kW output to the closest class of production electric vehicle.

The Exact Conversion Factors

There are three power units in common automotive use, and the conversion between them is fixed by international definition. Mechanical Horsepower (HP or BHP) equals exactly 0.745699872 kilowatts, a figure derived from the original definition of 550 foot-pounds per second converted to SI units. Metric Horsepower (PS, also called cv or ch) equals exactly 0.73549875 kilowatts, defined as the power to lift 75 kilograms by one meter per second under standard gravity. The difference between 1 HP and 1 PS is about 1.4 watts, small enough that it only becomes noticeable in larger power outputs. A 500 HP engine produces 372.85 kW, while a 500 PS engine produces 367.75 kW, a difference of about 5 kW.

Why the Global Automotive Industry Is Shifting to Kilowatts

The transition away from horsepower toward kilowatts is not just a preference. It reflects the underlying physics of electric vehicles. An EV's power output is determined by the battery voltage and the maximum current the motor controller can deliver: Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (A). This calculation produces watts or kilowatts directly, with no conversion needed. Reporting EV power in horsepower requires an additional conversion step that adds no practical information. Regulators in the European Union, Japan, and most of Asia now require kilowatt ratings for all motor vehicles. The United States remains an exception, where horsepower still dominates marketing materials even for EVs, though the technical specifications always include kW.

Quick Reference: Common Power Conversions

Vehicle Class Mechanical HP Metric PS Kilowatts (kW)
City commuter EV80 HP81 PS59.66 kW
Standard commuter (Nissan Leaf)147 HP149 PS110 kW
Mid-range crossover201 HP204 PS150 kW
Performance sedan (Tesla Model 3 LR)358 HP363 PS267 kW
High-performance SUV402 HP408 PS300 kW
Porsche Taycan Turbo S750 HP761 PS560 kW
Rimac Nevera hypercar1,914 HP1,940 PS1,427 kW

Frequently Asked Questions

Electric vehicles use kilowatts because the kilowatt is the SI (International System of Units) standard unit for power, and all electric motor specifications are naturally expressed in watts or kilowatts. Horsepower was invented in the 18th century by James Watt as a marketing comparison to steam engine output versus horses, making it a legacy unit tied to combustion culture. EV manufacturers, especially those selling globally, default to kilowatts because it is universally understood in science and engineering, cleaner to calculate from electrical inputs (Volts x Amps = Watts), and avoids the confusion between Mechanical HP, Metric PS, and Brake HP.
Mechanical Horsepower (HP or BHP) is the Anglo-American standard, defined as exactly 550 foot-pounds per second, which equals 0.745699872 kilowatts. Metric Horsepower (PS, from the German Pferdestärke, also called cv in French or ch in Spanish) is the European standard, defined as the power needed to lift 75 kilograms by 1 meter per second against gravity, which equals 0.73549875 kilowatts. The difference is small but meaningful: 100 HP equals 74.57 kW, while 100 PS equals 73.55 kW. German and Italian sports car specs almost always use PS, while American and British specs use HP or BHP.
Yes, a kilowatt is a kilowatt regardless of the source. The power unit is identical. However, the driving experience differs significantly because an electric motor delivers its full torque instantly from 0 RPM, while an internal combustion engine must rev up through its power band to reach peak output. So a 100 kW electric motor often feels substantially stronger off the line than a 100 kW gasoline engine, even though the peak power figure is the same.
EVs deliver instant torque. An electric motor produces its maximum torque from the very first revolution (0 RPM), meaning full pulling force is available the instant you press the accelerator. A gasoline engine must first start, idle, and then climb through thousands of RPM to reach its peak torque band, typically between 3,000 and 6,000 RPM. Additionally, EVs eliminate the mechanical losses from a multi-speed gearbox, clutch, and drivetrain components that rob combustion engines of power before it ever reaches the wheels.
To convert kilowatts to Brake Horsepower (BHP), divide the kilowatt value by 0.745699872. For example: 150 kW divided by 0.745699872 equals approximately 201.2 BHP. Alternatively, multiply the kW value by 1.34102 to get the same result. This tool performs that calculation automatically in real time as you type into any of the three input fields above.