- New structure for a 2-speed is perhaps gentle and compact whereas sustaining effectivity
- May doubtlessly enable robust launch with a lower-cost motor unit
- Thought is perhaps due in future Lucid EVs, or engineers may nonetheless be pondering it
The Lucid Air electrical sedan already achieves spectacular effectivity with its current drive unit, however the automaker is perhaps contemplating a 2-speed transmission for doable future use, a patent submitting signifies.
The patent, first noticed by Motor1, was filed in 2023 and appears to construct on the present drive-unit setup, which makes use of two coaxial planetary gearsets to offer the mandatory discount from motor velocity to wheel velocity whereas preserving packaging compact.
It describes the usage of a number of planetary gearsets to realize two gear ratios, with a tapered gear floor on every respective gear plus a system of one-way clutches to change between them.
Most electrical vehicles do with out multi-speed transmissions, however they’ve been a subject of debate for a while. The unique Tesla Roadster was supposed to make use of a 2-speed gearbox, however that was substituted for a hard and fast reduction-gear setup after prototypes did not deal with the motor’s copious torque.
Lucid 2-speed transmission. – U.S. patent
Lucid, within the patent utility, considerably parallels explanations offered to Inexperienced Automobile Experiences up to now from CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson about why it hasn’t but used a multi-speed unit. Within the submitting, the corporate’s authors defined that the gearboxes already utilized in a number of electric-vehicle fashions “are advanced mechanisms that take up vital area, they could have low effectivity and/or ship low preliminary torque, they usually place a big inertia load on the drivetrain (e.g., an extreme jerk when shifting).”
If such a part would not take up preliminary area or scale back effectivity, whereas permitting smaller, lighter motors, incorporating them with Lucid’s upcoming Atlas drive unit may feasibly repay in averted value and weight—though the corporate has made no claims as of but that this patent has something to do with Atlas.
Subsequent-generation Lucid Atlas drive unit – sure first for future midsize EVs
“Lucid repeatedly explores new concepts and develops technological improvements that would additional advance our electrical car know-how and assist speed up humanity’s transition to sustainable transportation and vitality,” the corporate said, in response to Inexperienced Automobile Experiences’ query as as to if this patent is perhaps related to Atlas and thus its future midsize fashions, initially. “Defending distinctive IP is a typical a part of the innovation and growth course of, although we will’t converse to potential future functions of particular patents.”
2024 Lucid Air
The Porsche Taycan has a 2-speed gearbox for its rear wheels, which Porsche has mentioned helps steadiness acceleration and high-speed effectivity. The ‘field has a low gear that helps ship extra torque from a standing begin, whereas preserving the rear motor and energy electronics cooler. The excessive gear mechanically engages at a sure velocity threshold, or when the drive eases up on the accelerator (handbook shifting is not doable), and driving it gently can skip the low ratio solely.
In dual-motor variations of the Mannequin S, Tesla has used motors with totally different gearing to realize related targets. Volkswagen can also be assured that it could actually discover different methods to maximise effectivity. In a latest interview with Inexperienced Automobile Experiences, Kai Grünitz, VW’s head of worldwide analysis and growth, mentioned the automaker nonetheless has no plans for 2-speed transmissions in EVs.
Mercedes-Benz, alternatively, is utilizing a 2-speed transmission in its next-generation MMA platform, which can underpin 4 compact fashions beginning with the 2026 Mercedes CLA, which will probably be bought with all-electric and hybrid powertrains. And maybe Lucid will comply with by way of and embrace a further gear ratio in a few of its future EVs as effectively.
–with reporting by Bengt Halvorson
