A very important parameter when choosing an electric vehicle is its maximum negotiable slope. Below is an explanation of the different types of slopes and the type of vehicles to use.
How to calculate a road slope: online calculator
Please note: the maximum negotiable slope for vehicles is measured as a percentage, which is different from the slope in degrees. For example, a 100% slope is a 45-degree slope.
Below is the online road slope calculator: enter the road slope as a percentage or move the slider to instantly find the corresponding value in degrees and see which electric vehicles can tackle the required slope.
Is the maximum negotiable slope the only important parameter?
No, you must also consider the length of the slope and not just its steepness. Tackling a relatively short climb of about 10 to 15 metres, such as a garage ramp or a slope inside a hospital, is very different from driving an electric vehicle up a slope that extends for several hundred metres, like a hill.
Incredible: watch an off-road electric vehicle tackle slopes of various gradients!
Vehicles and slopes: the right choice
Very often, customers wishing to replace their three-wheeled motor vehicle or agricultural vehicle ask us which vehicle is best suited to their needs, particularly based on the terrain characteristics and the slopes they will have to face. We have therefore prepared a brief summary to help you find the most suitable solution.
Garage ramp
Any Alkè vehicle has no problem at all, as it is optimized for this situation.
Climbing an embankment
An electric vehicle is capable of handling hill starts from a standstill.
Climbing sandy dunes
For sandy terrain, we recommend an Alkè ATX 340 electric vehicle with off-road setup or an ATX 480 with 4x4 drive.
Hilly paths with 400 m elevation gain
In this case, an ATX 480 electric vehicle with 4WD is required, and the length and terrain characteristics of the various climbs must be analyzed.
Dirt roads with ups and downs
For unpaved roads, an ATX 480 electric vehicle is required, and the slope of the most challenging sections must be analyzed, which must not exceed 40%.
Off-road - slopes up to 100%
In this case, diesel 4x4 off-road vehicles are used.
Tips for tackling climbs on unpaved roads
In addition to the slope percentage of the climb you have to face with the vehicle, another important element to consider when choosing the most suitable model is definitely the type of terrain, as unpaved roads certainly present more challenges than asphalted ones.
Type of climb
Description
Asphalted climb
This type of climb is common for electric cars in limited traffic zones (ZTL) and is the easiest to tackle as the required power is constant.
Climb on unpaved road with potholes
The presence of potholes increases the slope, so if you stop inside a pothole, you will need to back up if the vehicle fails to restart.
Stepped climb
Steps increase the slope of the climb, so if they are higher than 7 cm, ramps must be built to ensure a constant slope.
Stepped climb with hairpin bends
The hairpin bend is the critical point of a climb because momentum is lost and the slope is at its maximum, so this is where the slope of the climb must be calculated.
Request more information about the online slope calculator:
