What To Know
- The obsession with lightweight batteriesToday, when a manufacturer considers producing an electric vehicle, they quickly face the dilemma of balancing range with weight and cost.
- It’s all in the engineOn the engine side, electric cars seemed to have made progress by reducing from an average 440-pound gasoline or diesel blocks to about 110 pounds.
- Ferdinand Porsche proposed its ancestor in an electric version as early as 1900, and NASA used the concept for lunar rovers in the 1970s.
The race for lighter electric vehicles cannot simply focus on battery weight! Currently, the automobile industry is focusing on range per pound of battery. This approach aims to combat the weight issue of EVs, but it tends to overlook that vehicles weigh more than just their batteries.
the obsession with lightweight batteries
Today, when a manufacturer considers producing an electric vehicle, they quickly face the dilemma of balancing range with weight and cost. The energy density (essentially, the range per pound of battery) is limited technologically. To increase range, you must add weight, which in turn increases consumption and cost. Therefore, most research focuses on battery energy density to reduce weight without immediate impact on price. Faced with this challenge, new initiatives are emerging to lighten other vehicle components.
it’s all in the engine
On the engine side, electric cars seemed to have made progress by reducing from an average 440-pound gasoline or diesel blocks to about 110 pounds. However, EVs can carry multiple motors, diminishing these benefits. Solutions were needed: Some metal parts of electric motors can easily be replaced by carbon-reinforced plastics since metal’s presence is only justified by its rigidity and mechanical resistance. A case in point is YASA’s axial motor (a subsidiary of Mercedes), boasting a proud 53 pounds on the scale!
the future lies in wheel motors
YASA’s motor follows a strong trend that isn’t new: Ferdinand Porsche proposed its ancestor in an electric version as early as 1900, and NASA used the concept for lunar rovers in the 1970s. It provides an additional advantage by simplifying transmission and differential dimensions—elements that positively impact overall weight. Their benefits extend beyond this; they can simplify maneuvers, as demonstrated by Hyundai’s e-Corner system where all wheels are steerable.
more efficient and versatile vehicles
The impact of a lightweight motor has immediate benefits for vehicles: reduced consumption, increased range, improved braking performance, and better road handling. With such advantages for EVs, one might question why so much focus has been placed on battery weight alone. Regardless, manufacturers now have multiple avenues to reduce electric car weight—a reason for optimism.
- Increased range
- Reduced consumption
- Improved braking performance
This article places the quest to reduce electric vehicle weight into a broader context beyond just batteries. Engines take center stage here as a more interesting transitional vector than current battery-weight-focused research pursued by some manufacturers.
