Piston Slap: Tranny Talk on Electrified Motors?

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

Frank writes:

So, reading about the Lithium Mustang with its completely superfluous six-speed gearbox got me and some friends thinking about when you need a transmission and when you don’t.

We all know that steam engines and electric motors torque from the git-go and never need transmissions, whereas ICE engines can’t do that. But then we realized none of us knew why. So, that’s the question — why can’t ICE engines torque like those others?

Sajeev answers:

Um, no: electric motors do indeed need a transmission. But they don’t necessarily need a multi-speed transmission. Especially at any normal price point, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

For example, Tesla’s Model S uses a 9.73:1 step-down transmission, which cuts the mustard thanks to the electric motor’s excellent powerband and NVH controls. A single gear could imply terrible acceleration, but unlike ICE’s massive metal reciprocating assemblies that barely run below 800 rpm, electric motors make full torque at idle… upon that first shot of electricity to their internals.

And from idle to the Model S’ 18,302-ish rpm redline, there’s either a tidal wave of torque or more-than-adequate highway horsepower, and it’s available instantly thanks to the lack of a reciprocating assembly.

That said, the Model S’ acceleration tapers off as highway speeds (70 mph) turn to Go To Jail Speeds (155 mph top speed), so let’s hypothesize that power/efficiency falters above 12,000 rpm. Which suggests lead-footed owners still have 6000-ish more revs before redline: that’s nearly triple the rev range of an average ICE. That assumption might be BS, but no matter, a “tall” one-speed gearbox is acceptable here.

The extra revving doesn’t matter to most, much like going to a sock-hop in a ’50s Buick with its Dynaflow box. But Dynaflow met its maker, relegated to the dustbin while its successor is still relevant today (well, in the enthusiast space). History is likely to repeat itself, but don’t take my word for it.

The ZF 2-speed gearbox is likely to prove that electric cars go faster, more efficiently with multi-speed gearing. If what I heard from an owner of a Porsche Taycan Turbo (not Turbo S) in Texas is any indication, the 2-speed gearbox significantly improves the long-distance (from Houston to Austin) range vis-à-vis the single-speed Model S. And his assessment isn’t unique.

While Tesla’s electric powertrains are a noble and wholly-impressive endeavor, they’ve wanted a second cog for a while. But this isn’t a slam on Tesla: standalone departments or third party suppliers get the funding they deserve because transmissions are terribly complicated compared to other componentry. If properly funded, the next-generation Model S will likely have that ZF gearbox, or similar.

Back to the price point: Google the Porsche Taycan’s starting MSRP. That’s a lotta stacks for two gears, Son!

I dream of a day when it’s possible to make a sub-20k electric family car (we gotta take 1/3 of the cost outta the Nissan Leaf, no biggie amirite?) with a single speed gearbox, and 2-3 speed units for buyers of 40+k machines. Who knows when battery prices shall fall in line with this dream, but a correlation between multi-speed transmissions and lofty(er) electric vehicle asking prices is likely.

[Image: Ford]

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • Monkeydelmagico Monkeydelmagico on Jan 17, 2020

    Posted to let everyone know how much I drooled at the article mustang pic. Carry on.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dal20402 Dal20402 on Jan 20, 2020

      @ToolGuy Just slap on some ugly hot pink guards and you can be cool like Challenger owners.

  • NeilM NeilM on Jan 20, 2020

    Note that the original Tesla Roadster was to have had a two-speed transmission. They had trouble with gearbox reliability, a problem Tesla fixed by dropping the two-speed feature entirely, retaining only the single speed reduction gear. Porsche probably knows a lot more about gearbox design than Tesla.

  • Jalop1991 Is this the beginning of the culmination of a very long game by Tesla?Build stuff, prove that it works. Sell the razors, sure, but pay close attention to the blades (charging network) that make the razors useful. Design features no one else is bothering with, and market the hell out of them.In other words, create demand for what you have.Then back out of manufacturing completely, because that's hard and expensive. License your stuff to legacy carmakers that (a) are able to build cars well, and (b) are too lazy to create the things and customer demand you did.Sit back and cash the checks.
  • Buickman more likely Dunfast.
  • Chris P Bacon "Dealership". Are these traditional franchised dealers, or is Vinfast selling direct?
  • Chris P Bacon Full self driving is a fraud. Even aircraft "autopilot" requires pilot interaction, attention, and most importantly of all, training is required. We've already seen accidents by idiots who think they don't need to interact with their Tesla. The system gets confused by simple lane markings, and there are many more variables driving down the street than there is in a jet aircraft.
  • ToolGuy I read through the Tesla presentation deck last night and here is my take (understanding that it was late and I ain't too bright):• Tesla has realized it has a capital outlay issue and has put the 'unboxed' process in new facilities on hold and will focus on a 'hybrid' approach cranking out more product from the existing facilities without as much cost reduction but saving on the capital.They still plan to go 'all the way' (maximum cost reduction) with the robo thing but that will be in the future when presumably more cash is freed up.
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