the e fan blade weighs significantly less....it does not need to be nearly as robust because it is intermittent and on a fixed rpm range.... it weighs 10 to 30 times less or more generally. so it can be pitched and actually move more air, and will take less energy.
its has magnitudes less mass because it does not have to ride the water pump and work at all different engine rpms all the time. the blade on a vis clutch fan is a compromise of all conditions and from inception is no where near maximum efficiency as far as performing its function.....pulling ait through the radiator...it is separate from the core support and radiator so moves with the engine...so can not be maximally effective with shrouding...but more then adequate.
in the case of say a mustang electrical unit verse the oem ranger mechanical...it is insanely more efficient....
it moves MORE air with LESS power because the blade weighs 10 ounces and not 7 pounds.
not only does it do less work due to less rotatable mass for the task at hand....the blades are tuned entirely different due to its operating windows that are fixed. its shrouding is also maximal....everything is dialed to, efficiency.....
and it only uses one horsepower max...where that mechanical fan at its maximum ability is pulling at least 7 plus hp...up to 12 hp....moving less air even if the engine is turning 5 k rpm.... and at minimum....the mechanical fan, it draws 1 hp
all of the time the engine runs. the electric fan may not turn on for months at a time depending on drive cycle and time of year.
efficient....efficiency.
the ratio of the useful work performed by a machine or in a process to the total energy
expended or heat taken in.