battery capacity - how big is the battery?
Battery Capacity - Described in kWh (kilowatt hours) - Important Number
A larger battery can store more energy to power a larger car, or give greater range, but larger batteries are heavy, bulky and expensive. As battery costs have reduced over the last 10 years, battery sizes have increased from typically 20-30 kWh giving range around 100 miles in a new small-medium car, to 40+ kWh giving a range in excess of 200 Miles in a new small to medium car.
The less important number frequently quoted in advertisements for electric cars is the maximum power available from the motors, quoted in kW (kilowatts) or PS ( PferdStarke - Metric Horsepower) - A larger number generally means faster car, although the heavier the car the more power it needs.