This innovative in-wheel motor system brings several advantages:
- Improved efficiency with approximately 30% less mechanical loss
- Enhanced manoeuvrability with a 10-15% reduced turning radius
- Independent wheel control for superior traction and stability
- Increased interior space due to the elimination of traditional drivetrain components
- 25% more efficient energy regeneration through precise brake control
Interesting! The claims look way oversold and there is no mention of the elephant in the room: unsprung mass. Comfort and drivability could be impacted a lot with at least 10kg (assuming 10kW/kg) more at each vehicle corner. Plus, the inverters are surely still onboard and thick HV cables have a much more complicated routing. But if they pull it off and the car drives well, chapeau!
Also, if the wheels get bent, there go your motors.
I’ve seen people imagine drawbacks in EVs before, but that one (wheels getting bent) is pathetic.
Yeah the bent part doesn’t sound right, but it’s true that they are more outboard and maybe less protected, so I wouldn’t write this comment off
Bent, smashed, broken. Doesn’t really matter what verb you put in there. The important point is that it’s a vulnerable place to put a motor, and it’s more expensive to replace when it happens.
The other guy is completely flying off the handle about nothing, though. Jumped to conclusions about motives and can’t exit the conversation while maintaining face. Yes, people should make an informed choice. How are they supposed to do that if nobody points out non-obvious problems?
Alright, I have no doubt the manufacturer and potential buyers have taken note of your concerns.
Uhh, what do you think is going to happen in accidents?
Accidents are not what you’re worried about. You are specifically trying to smear EVs. But go ahead: list all different kinds of accidents and I might chime in again.
My wife and I own two EVs and are looking to swap one for another EV. What are you on about?
I am specifically talking about the problems with putting motors in wheels. It’s not a new idea, but manufacturers have hesitated to do it for various reasons. Unsprung weight and increased replacement cost among them.
You can’t imagine an accident where the wheels get hit?
Cars get totalled for less. A bent wheel on a luxury car is the least of my worries.
OK, so your position is that modern cars are so fragile, you won’t be replacing the wheels, anyway. You’ll just be junking the whole car.
Which is true, I guess. It’s not exactly a stellar place to be in general, but OK.
I don’t understand, what do you envision the disadvantage is over tradition axel wheels? It’s cheaper and easier to repair because you don’t have to fix the entire axel, but just fix one. Also, each of the four motors are cheaper than one combined one, for both sunk costs and upkeep costs. What matters is the consistency between the four motors.
It’s not cheaper to repair when there’s a whole lot of copper and magnets in the wheel. Copper ain’t cheap.
Unsprung weight problems are mostly an issue for those of us who like to run cars on the track, but it’s a consideration.
I know there’s only so much you can change on a car before aerodynamics become an issue, but that’s just a Tesla model 3 with a facelift.
Bring it. 🤘🏼
The main advantage is it allows for a platform that can be used to make many kinds of vehicles. So it could be a sedan or an suv or truck.
