Ground Clearance and Ride Height
Ground clearance and ride height are related vertical dimensions, but they do not describe the same reference points.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance is the vertical distance from the ground plane to a specified lowest point beneath the vehicle. The result depends on what is excluded or included, the vehicle load, tire size and pressure, suspension mode, and where the measurement is taken. A single advertised figure may not describe clearances under the battery, axle, aerodynamic panels, or bumpers.
Ride height
Ride height describes the body or suspension position relative to the ground or wheels using defined measurement points. It is used for alignment, suspension setup, leveling, and control of adjustable air or active suspension. Raising ride height usually increases some clearances, but not every approach, departure, breakover, or component clearance by the same amount.
Why the conditions matter
Payload, passengers, battery mass, spring deflection, self-leveling, speed-dependent lowering, and temperature can change the measured position. Comparisons therefore require the same load state, suspension setting, tires, and measurement definition.
For spring and leveling mechanisms, see Suspension Springs. For suspension geometry through height changes, see Suspension Kinematics and Vehicle Dynamics.