A kilowatt (kW) and a kilowatt-hour (kWh) sound very similar, but there is an important difference. A kilowatt (kW) represents the rate of electricity usage – it is a measure of the total energy you use over a specific period of time, as opposed to a given moment. One kilowatt translates to 1,000 watts. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) represents the total amount of electricity used.
The measurement of energy used for electric vehicle chargers is in kilowatt (kW). The higher the kW, the more rapid the charging rate. Kilowatt (kW) can also be used to refer to the output of the electric motor.
The total battery capacity of an electric vehicle is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), or the total amount of energy stored in the battery. The larger the battery, the more range you can cover on a single charge. It is the amount of energy expended in one hour by a kilowatt of power, just like what you see on your energy bill.