Why do electric cars accelerate faster than most gas-powered cars, even though they have less horsepower?

Question

Why do electric cars accelerate faster than most gas-powered cars, even though they have less horsepower?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Electric motors can build a magnetic field and force instantaneously. Combustion engines take time to inject air, ignite it, and get a ton of rotating parts moving. And even if you do all that, you lose a bunch of that energy to heat. There’s just loads of inefficient and physical speed bumps in the way of generating power.

Eli5: it’s the difference between turning on a light switch and lighting a candle. You get light at the end of them both, but one is quicker to get there.