This is a strange way to look at it. The assumption seems to be we want to keep the motor cheap but then connect it to a transmission and that is supposed to be

This is a strange way to look at it. The assumption seems to be we want to keep the motor cheap but then connect it to a transmission and that is supposed to be cheaper then simply using a slightly better motor? Pretty sure its isn't and that's why 99% of EV don't use them.