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The article is a bit confusing. The basic concepts here are 1) integrating the motor, rear axle, and differential into one unit, and 2) integrating all the hig
by Animats 2y ago
The article is a bit confusing.
The basic concepts here are 1) integrating the motor, rear axle, and differential into one unit, and 2) integrating all the high voltage electrical components and their controls into another unit. This doesn't mean the electronics are down at axle level.
If you look at a modern "E-Axle", it's a wheel and axle assembly with a modestly sized motor mounted on the side of the differential.[1] These are BYD E-Axles for large vehicles. Others integrate those into buses and trucks.
The car-sized versions would be smaller.
The E-Axle component contains all the "greasy bits", as automakers use the term. Looking at those things, you can see them going together easily on an automated assembly line. No need to work at funny angles, assemble big objects around other objects, or other assembly hassles. No shafting or belts - just wires.
This is reasonable enough. It is, however, a major change from traditional automaking priorites. Traditionally, The Engine was the core vehicle component. Final drive, differential, and axle were way down in priority. GM's worst plant used to be Detroit Gear and Axle. (It was bought in 1992 by a startup guy who made it non-union, wrote a book about it, and then went bankrupt.)
So it's a bit of a shock for auto companies to find that the axle people are now in charge. An electric car needs only an e-axle, a battery, and a HV electronics box as the power train. That comes from the power train supplier. The vehicle manufacturer adds a frame, wheels, body, interior, and dashboard. It all plugs together with CANbus.
[1] https://dotto-tech.ca/byd-e-axle-%26-system https://dotto-tech.ca/byd-e-axle-%26-system
- DoingIsLearning 2y agoI was aware that BYD was initially a battery manufacturer OEM and then went into EV's. This drive 'unit' that BYD is using across their vehicles is that for internal use only? Or is it also being sold as an OEM part for other manufacturers to produce their own branded vehicles?
- Animats 2y agoBYD's FinDreams unit sells powertrain parts to OEMs.[1] The E-Axle for trucks seems to be available. They don't seem to promote the car-sized version. Mostly, FinDreams sells batteries. Mostly, BYD sells entire vehicles. They're big enough that they don't have to be a parts supplier to others. Tesla talks big about making a semitruck, but BYD is shipping them in quantity, and DHL is buying them. Range about 200 miles, which is enough for the daily trips of most local trucks. They're not trying to do long-haul trucks yet. Just take over the local trucking market. BYD isn't selling cars in the US much, but they make trucks in Los Angeles.[2] Quietly, local trucking is going electric. Especially in China and Europe.[3] The US lags in electric medium trucks. Ford CEO Jim Farley called the BYD Seagull “pretty damn good.” If US manufacturers don't keep up with BYD, “20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk.” [1] https://www.linkedin.com/company/findreams-technology-co-ltd/about/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/findreams-technology-co-ltd... [2] https://en.byd.com/truck/about/ https://en.byd.com/truck/about/ [3] https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ID-57-%E2%80%93-ZETs-China_Final.pdf https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ID-57-%E2%80%...
- DoingIsLearning 2y agoVery interesting movement in the industry. I can see why European Auto industry is getting up in arms with EV's out of China.