Which way does gravity help?
Fictional traction system: empty car 1,000 kg, rated passenger load 800 kg, counterweight 1,400 kg. Both sides move the same distance in opposite directions. Choose actual passenger mass and car direction.
Combined gravitational energy change = (car mass + passenger mass − counterweight mass) × 9.81 × signed car height, in joules. Positive means this ideal movement needs energy added; negative means gravitational energy is released.
This isolates gravity, with unchanged start/end speed. It omits friction, acceleration within the journey, rope and rotating masses, controls, lighting, drive efficiency and electrical conversion. Zero here does not mean a real elevator consumes no electricity. It is not a design or maintenance calculator.