Metric Horsepower to Kilowatt Converter (PS to kW)

How to Convert Metric Horsepower (PS) to Kilowatt

The formula to convert Metric Horsepower (PS) to Kilowatt (kW) is:

Reverse formula — kW to PS:

Step-by-step example — Convert 150 PS to kW:

Common examples:

• 1 PS = 0.7355 kW (key reference!)
• 100 PS = 73.55 kW (small car)
• 150 PS = 110.32 kW (mid-size car)
• 200 PS = 147.10 kW (performance car)
• 510 PS = 375.10 kW (BMW M3)
• 1,000 PS = 735.50 kW (hypercar)

What is Metric Horsepower (PS)?

Metric horsepower — abbreviated as PS (from German: Pferdestärke, meaning "horse strength") — equals exactly 735.499 watts or 75 kilogram-force meters per second. It is the standard power unit for car and ship engines in Europe, Japan, India, and most of Asia. Car brands like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota, and Honda rate their engines in PS. Due to EU regulations, European car manufacturers now increasingly list both PS and kW on spec sheets.

What is Kilowatt?

A kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts and is the SI metric standard of power used globally. For vehicles, kW is increasingly becoming the universal standard — especially for electric vehicles (EVs) which are always rated in kW for motor output. The European Union mandates that car power must be listed in kW on official documents, making PS to kW conversion essential for understanding European car specifications.

Popular European Car Models — PS to kW Chart

Car Model	Power (PS)	Power (kW)
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI	95 PS	69.87 kW
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI	150 PS	110.32 kW
BMW 3 Series 320i	184 PS	135.33 kW
Mercedes C-Class 200	204 PS	150.04 kW
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI	245 PS	180.20 kW
BMW M3 Competition	510 PS	375.10 kW
Porsche 911 Turbo S	650 PS	478.07 kW
Bugatti Chiron	1,500 PS	1,103.25 kW

PS vs kW — Key Differences

Feature	Metric HP (PS)	Kilowatt (kW)
Equals in Watts	735.499 W	1,000 W
1 unit in other	0.7355 kW	1.3596 PS
Which is bigger?	PS is smaller	kW is bigger
Used in	European & Asian cars	Global, EVs, industry
EV ratings	Rarely used	Always used
vs Mechanical hp	1 PS = 0.9863 hp	1 kW = 1.341 hp

Why PS to kW Conversion Matters

• EU Regulation: European Union requires car power to be officially listed in kW — making PS to kW conversion essential for compliance.
• EV Comparison: Electric vehicles are always rated in kW. Converting PS helps compare traditional petrol cars (PS) with EVs (kW).
• Insurance & Registration: In many European countries, road tax and insurance are calculated based on kW output — not PS.
• Indian Car Market: Indian car brochures increasingly show both PS and kW as European brands gain market share.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert metric horsepower (PS) to kilowatt?

Multiply PS by 0.735499. Formula: kW = PS × 0.735499. Example: 150 PS × 0.735499 = 110.32 kW.

How many kW is 1 PS?

1 PS = 0.735499 kW = 735.499 watts. This is the exact SI equivalent of metric horsepower.

What is 100 PS in kW?

100 PS = 73.55 kW. Formula: 100 × 0.735499 = 73.55 kW. This is a typical small European car engine power rating.

What is 150 PS in kW?

150 PS = 110.32 kW. Formula: 150 × 0.735499 = 110.32 kW. This is a common mid-size European hatchback or sedan engine power.

Is kW or PS bigger?

kW is bigger. 1 kW = 1.35962 PS while 1 PS = 0.735499 kW. A 100 kW motor produces more power than a 100 PS engine.

What is the difference between PS and kW?

PS (metric horsepower) = 735.499 W — used mainly in European and Asian car specs. kW (kilowatt) = 1,000 W — the global SI standard, used for EVs and all power systems. 1 kW = 1.35962 PS.