Protean launches production in-wheel electric motor

Credit: Protean/ Motor Authority

Between a motor & the road, there are several causes of inefficiency: clutch, torque converter, gearbox, differential.  Some of these are not necessary in an electric car (EV), e.g. torque converter & (usually) clutch.  By eliminating these components & their inefficiencies, an EV becomes more efficient.  Of course, weight savings achieved by eliminating these components further improves efficiency.

Including a separate electric motor for each driven wheel removes the mechanical losses & weight inherent in a differential.  Traction control & torque vectoring can also be added without additional mechanical complexity.

Drive shafts can be eliminated along with the inherent weight & mechanical losses by moving the electric motors into the wheel hubs.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1083562_protean-launches-production-in-wheel-electric-motor#100425040

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