- New structure for a 2-speed may be mild and compact whereas sustaining effectivity
- Might doubtlessly enable sturdy launch with a lower-cost motor unit
- Concept may be 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 may be contemplating a 2-speed transmission for attainable 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 supply the required discount from motor velocity to wheel velocity whereas maintaining packaging compact.
It describes the usage of a number of planetary gearsets to attain 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 software, considerably parallels explanations supplied to Inexperienced Automotive Studies previously 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 important area, they might have low effectivity and/or ship low preliminary torque, and so they 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 cut back effectivity, whereas permitting smaller, lighter motors, incorporating them with Lucid’s upcoming Atlas drive unit might 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 constantly explores new concepts and develops technological improvements that would additional advance our electrical car expertise and assist speed up humanity’s transition to sustainable transportation and power,” the corporate acknowledged, in response to Inexperienced Automotive Studies’ query as as to if this patent may be linked 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 communicate to potential future purposes of particular patents.”
2024 Lucid Air
The Porsche Taycan has a 2-speed gearbox for its rear wheels, which Porsche has stated helps steadiness acceleration and high-speed effectivity. The ‘field has a low gear that helps ship extra torque from a standing begin, whereas maintaining the rear motor and energy electronics cooler. The excessive gear robotically engages at a sure velocity threshold, or when the drive eases up on the accelerator (guide shifting is not attainable), and driving it gently can skip the low ratio fully.
In dual-motor variations of the Mannequin S, Tesla has used motors with completely different gearing to attain comparable targets. Volkswagen can be assured that it will probably discover different methods to maximise effectivity. In a latest interview with Inexperienced Automotive Studies, Kai Grünitz, VW’s head of world analysis and growth, stated the automaker nonetheless has no plans for 2-speed transmissions in EVs.
Mercedes-Benz, then again, is utilizing a 2-speed transmission in its next-generation MMA platform, which is able to underpin 4 compact fashions beginning with the 2026 Mercedes CLA, which can be bought with all-electric and hybrid powertrains. And maybe Lucid will observe by way of and embrace an extra gear ratio in a few of its future EVs as nicely.
–with reporting by Bengt Halvorson
