Electric driving: What is Torque?

What is torque in a car? And why’s it different in an electric vehicle?

Electric cars have a secret weapon that makes them incredibly responsive – instant torque.

But what exactly is torque, and why should it matter when you're choosing your next car lease?

Let's break it down in a way that won't send you to sleep.

What is torque in cars?

Think of torque as your car's pulling power – the rotational force that gets you moving.

Measured in Newton metres (Nm), it's essentially how much oomph your engine can produce to get the wheels turning.

The more torque a car has, the quicker it'll accelerate from a standstill.

It's why manufacturers love to shout about their torque figures alongside top speeds and brake horsepower – it's one of those stats that really matters to many people when you're behind the wheel.

How is torque different for EVs?

Here's where electric vehicles (EVs) really shine. Unlike traditional petrol or diesel engines that need to work their way up to peak torque, electric motors deliver maximum torque instantly. 

The moment you press the accelerator, all that power is there.

With a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE), torque delivery follows a curve – it gradually increases, hits a peak, then declines. Electric cars? They give you everything right from the get-go.

This instant torque makes EVs feel surprisingly nippy, especially in stop-start city driving where they really come into their own. While a traditional car might have a higher top speed, an electric car will often get to 30mph quicker – and that's what you notice in everyday driving.

It's one of those things that shows you don't have to sacrifice performance when you go green. In fact, you might just find yourself grinning every time the lights turn green.

Are torque specifications important?

That depends on what matters to you. If you're happy with gradual acceleration and don't mind waiting a bit longer to reach cruising speed, then torque figures might not be a priority.

But if you like that instant response when you put your foot down – whether that's pulling away from traffic lights or overtaking on a dual carriageway – then torque specs are definitely worth paying attention to.

Is torque different to brake horsepower (BHP)?

Both torque and brake horsepower (BHP) measure engine performance, but they're looking at different things.

Torque is all about rotational force – it's what gets you accelerating quickly from 0-62mph. Think of it as your car's strength.

BHP, on the other hand, measures the actual power that reaches the wheels after accounting for friction and other losses. It's more about sustained performance and top speeds.

In simple terms: torque gets you moving quickly, horsepower keeps you going fast.

The bottom line

If you've never experienced the instant torque of an electric car, you're in for a treat.

It's one of those things that makes electric driving feel surprisingly engaging – and it's just one of the many reasons why EVs are becoming such popular lease choices.

Ready to experience instant torque for yourself? Our team can help you find an electric car lease that'll put a smile on your face every time you drive it.