- New structure for a 2-speed is perhaps mild and compact whereas sustaining effectivity
- Might doubtlessly permit sturdy launch with a lower-cost motor unit
- Thought is perhaps due in future Lucid EVs, or engineers would possibly nonetheless be pondering it
The Lucid Air electrical sedan already achieves spectacular effectivity with its present 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 required discount from motor pace to wheel pace whereas holding 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 modify 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 set 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 Automotive Experiences prior 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 just a few electric-vehicle fashions “are advanced mechanisms that take up important house, they might have low effectivity and/or ship low preliminary torque, and so they place a major inertia load on the drivetrain (e.g., an extreme jerk when shifting).”
If such a element would not take up preliminary house or scale back effectivity, whereas permitting smaller, lighter motors, incorporating them with Lucid’s upcoming Atlas drive unit might feasibly repay in averted price 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 power,” the corporate said, in response to Inexperienced Automotive Experiences’ query as as to whether 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 are able to’t converse 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 mentioned helps stability acceleration and high-speed effectivity. The ‘field has a low gear that helps ship extra torque from a standing begin, whereas holding the rear motor and energy electronics cooler. The excessive gear routinely engages at a sure pace threshold, or when the drive eases up on the accelerator (handbook shifting is not doable), 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 realize comparable targets. Volkswagen can be assured that it could discover different methods to maximise effectivity. In a current interview with Inexperienced Automotive 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, however, 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 can be offered with all-electric and hybrid powertrains. And maybe Lucid will comply with by means of and embrace a further gear ratio in a few of its future EVs as nicely.
–with reporting by Bengt Halvorson
