Kilowatt (kW) to Horsepower (hp)
Converting kilowatts to horsepower is useful when comparing electric vehicles (quoted in kW) with petrol or diesel cars (quoted in bhp or hp). Multiply kilowatts by 1.3410 to get mechanical horsepower (hp/bhp), or by 1.3596 for metric horsepower (PS).
Frequently asked questions
One kilowatt equals 1.3410 mechanical horsepower (hp or bhp). If a manufacturer quotes a figure in metric PS, use 1.3596 instead. For most comparisons between electric and combustion cars, the 1.341 factor is the standard in the UK and US.
One hundred and fifty kilowatts is 150 × 1.3410 = 201.2 bhp. This is a typical power output for a mid-range electric car such as the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro or the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Standard Range.
One hundred kilowatts equals 134.1 bhp. This is a common power output for a compact electric or hybrid car. The Toyota Yaris Cross HEV, for instance, produces around 116 bhp (86.5 kW) from its combined hybrid system.
Multiply the kW figure by 1.341 to get bhp. So a 200 kW electric motor develops roughly 268 bhp. Keep in mind that electric motors deliver maximum torque instantly from standstill, making them feel more responsive than a petrol engine with the same peak bhp figure.