Clean energy sources and means of mobility are cheaper and more accessible than ever. As a result, initiatives to reduce the world's consumption of fossil fuels are entering the mainstream. In particular, though demand for traditional cars slumped during the pandemic, global sales for electric vehicles (EVs) rose to 3.4 million in 2020. Electric cars made up 69% of these sales.
In part, this may be a result of multiple governments setting deadlines to phase out traditional cars. However, this popularity is also attributed to the multiple benefits electric vehicles provide. These vehicles are more energy-efficient, less noisy, and have a smaller carbon footprint. More importantly, manufacturers have figured out how to make them cheaper and less expensive to run.
At the heart of these electric cars is the electric motor. Below is a list of the best motors that power these vehicles today.
Most electric motors rely on electromagnetism to run. However, American parts manufacturer Infinitum Electric, is changing the game with a motor that runs on a printed circuit board (PCB).
The device, dubbed the IEm, is claimed to be smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the average electric motor, thanks to the size of the PCB itself. Advancements in PCB technology means more components can be fitted onto increasingly smaller, and high density interconnect PCB designs. This allows manufacturers to pack more power into tiny devices.
The IEm also has an innovative, built-in oil-cooling, which eliminates the need for installing a separate cold air intake system. Together, these two components work to make the engine lighter without compromising on power, and as a result, it's capable of producing just under 340bhp.
The Hyundai KONA Electric's practical, single motor
However, motors that rely on electromagnetism are holding their own. Take the similarly small motor of the subcompact, SUV-type Hyundai KONA, for example. Though it's not as light as the IEm, it still manages to power the car's front wheels with a maximum output of 204bhp. It also makes use of permanent magnets, which makes it more efficient than the AC induction motors traditionally used in EVs.
This model is the German manufacturer's first-ever mass-produced EV. The front and rear axles are powered by individual motors, which can average 350bhp each. Plus, when users switch to sports mode, these motors can crank it up to 414bhp for 8 seconds at a time.
Furthermore, their asynchronous nature means the two motors can be controlled independently. It allows them to adapt six other driving profiles that vary based on road conditions or personal preferences, letting you get the most out of every charge.
Tesla is the world's leading sustainable carmaker, and the Model S is its flagship electric car. Its latest iteration, Palladium, was released early this year and makes use of three AC induction motors — one at the front and two at the back. Most notably, these motors are carbon-wrapped, allowing them to achieve higher revolutions per minute. Thanks to this system, the Model S is considered to be the world's fastest production Electric Vehicle.
Sustainability isn't the future: it's happening now. And as electric cars become more popular, manufacturers are working to keep up with demand. You can definitely look forward to new and exciting innovations that will make electric cars better than ever.
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