4 ms·

What is the advantage of in-wheel motors?

• jacquesm 3y ago
  That you save on a whole bunch of linkage and drive train components, four wheel drive without the associated complexity, that you can integrate the wheels, motors and brakes, cleaner airflow under the car and that the system as a whole can be lighter weight than the same package with motors near the centerline of the car, so you get somewhat better range. It also gives more space for batteries and/or more storage space. That's why manufacturers will keep trying to get this done, if they can get it to work cost effectively and without impacting that unsprung weight too much it will give them an advantage.
  • Beijinger 3y ago
    "cleaner airflow under the car"? Why should the airflow be cleaner?
    • jacquesm 3y ago
      Because that's automatically better range, cleaner airflow is less drag. That's why cars have all of those underbody skirts, it improves their mileage (and helps with not fouling up the more sensitive bits).
    • 20after4 3y ago
      I think they mean smoother or less turbulent airflow, not cleaner in the sense of less pollution.