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by runeks 11 days ago
> [...] but their coils get saturated at higher RPMs meaning they lose efficiency at highway speeds (which actually affect the range number people car about).

This seems like a big disadvantage. Highway is exactly where EVs fare worst compared to ICE cars.

I wonder if this could be solved by introducing a gearbox?

I know the new Mercedes CLA (EV) has two gears, the second gear being optimized for highway speeds. But I don't know whether it's related to this.

2 comments

To be clear: a big disadvantage of permanent magnet motors (PMSM). https://youtu.be/BFmp9ODkCA8?t=725
It can’t be that bad because the latest Renault EVs have pretty good real world range figures in their class.