What Is System Horsepower?

Jason Fogelson 08/01/2022 8:49am

System horsepower is the combined maximum output of the electric motor and the internal combustion gasoline engine in a hybrid (HEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Hybrid drivelines rate horsepower differently than internal combustion engines. The electric motor adds power to the overall system as needed in a hybrid. Automakers often list the horsepower rating of the internal combustion engine separately from the power of the electric motors and then a combined system horsepower rating.

Jason Fogelson

Jason Fogelson is the Managing Editor of Publication Operations for Cox Automotive Inc. He works with the editorial team to ensure everything you read on Kelley Blue Book is factual, grammatically correct, well-written, and relevant. Jason contributed to KBB for years before joining the staff in 2022 as part of a long career as a freelance automotive journalist and editor for magazines and websites. His first book, “100 Things for Every Gearhead to Do Before They Die,” was published by Reedy Press in 2016. Jason was President of the Motor Press Guild (MPG) for two terms and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA), the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), and the International Motor Press Association (IMPA). He lives near Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, dog, two cats, motorcycle, and van. He’s always on the hunt for an inexpensive roadster to fill an empty slot in his garage.
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