What's new for the 2023 Kia EV6 and what is the price

How does in-wheel drive technology work. Four thrust and torque vectoring motors

The basic principle behind a car equipped with in-wheel electric motors is simple. The internal combustion engine, usually located under the hood, is simply not necessary. It was replaced by at least two engines located in the hub of the wheels. These wheels contain not only the braking components, but also all the functions that were performed by the engine, transmission, clutch, suspension and other related parts.

How In-Wheel Motors (IWM) works.

The electric motor is installed inside the wheel and powers the wheel directly without the need for any transmission. The idea of mounting the motor inside the wheel rim of an electric vehicle is the right choice, in this way it can be ensured that the full output power of the motor is available to the wheel without any mechanical losses to the transmission.

How can the number of internal engines a car uses be adjusted

The number of internal engines the vehicle actually uses can be adjusted to meet the vehicle's requirements. For example, in most cases, two engines will provide enough power; If the EV has two motors in the front wheel hub, so the vehicle is front wheel drive

Or in the rear wheel hub and the car is rear wheel drive. However, if you are talking about an AWD vehicle that is either an off-road truck or a performance vehicle then it will obviously be required to be equipped with an electric motor at each wheel.

Advantages of In-Wheel Motors (IWM):

1) The four-wheel drive motors are easy to install and replace, and they also add flexibility as they can be used to power rear- or front-wheel drive vehicles, as well as all-wheel drive versions, without significantly changing the driveline.

2) They are small in size. Because the engine is located entirely inside the wheel, it frees up space inside the vehicle for components or other cargo.

3) In-wheel motors provide high efficiency, since there are no mechanical losses from the transmission, differential and drive shafts, which makes the car run quieter.

4) With the electronic control of the motor, it is possible to adjust the torque of each motor inside the wheel, the number of revolutions per minute, and even the direction of rotation. This means that features like ABS, traction control, and even cruise control can be handled more efficiently.

Disadvantages of In-Wheel Motors (IWM):

1) The main challenge for in-wheel motors is the issue of unsuspended weight. Unsuspended weight is the mass of all components including the chassis, engine, occupants and the body unsupported by the vehicle's suspension. The unsprung weight includes the wheels, tires, and brakes, and it moves up and down any bumps, potholes, and debris as it tries to trace the lines of the road.

2) In-wheel motors are more expensive than a single motor on the rear axle.

3) Not as torquey as a single fixed motor.

4) The torque of the left and right motor must be precisely matched or else the vehicle will show a tendency to turn towards the motor with less torque.

In recent years, we've seen some vehicle developers move toward powertrain configurations where the engine is installed inside the wheel: an in-wheel drive system. These so-called hub motors or wheel motors certainly have certain benefits, but they also create some challenges.