“SAE Power Rating” can now be applied to electrified vehicles

SAE International, the world's leading authority in mobility standards development, has released a standard document that defines methods to determine electrified vehicle peak power ratings. J2908 Vehicle Power and Rated System Power Test for Electrified Powertrains establishes the framework for testing, data post-processing, and reporting of SAE System power for an electrified vehicle.

“SAE Certified Power, established in SAE J1349, was designed for conventional internal combustion engines. However, the power from an electrified vehicle comes from a combination of the battery, electric motors, and, in the case of hybrids, a gasoline engine,” says Michael Duoba, research engineer, Argonne National Laboratory, and sponsor of the document. “A new, system power rating approach required a complete rethinking of the test procedures and how the final output power is determined.”

“The results are a familiar system power definition in the same manner as well-established engine power ratings thus benefitting consumers who are considering making the switch to an electrified vehicle,” Duoba continues. “The system power approach applies to hybrid-electric, all-electric, and fuel cell vehicles. It also applies to front, rear, or all-wheel drive configurations. The test procedure makes use of widely available chassis or wheel hub dynamometers. The flexible methodology includes ways to incorporate known bench test data or make direct system measurements during a vehicle test. The flexibility was designed to accommodate testing by manufacturers or independent testing laboratories.”

“The J2908 is the type of standard that helps to move the industry forward in the EV and emerging technology space,” says Christian Thiele, director global ground vehicle standards, SAE International. “SAE is focused on helping drive the industry through this technological revolution, developing standards that will meet the needs of the automotive industry of the future.”