When analyzing the all-electric car (EV) market, we now have seen that the phase shifted in direction of all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrains. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) fashions are within the minority.
It wasn’t at all times like that although. Between 2010 and 2013, there have been solely single-motor FWD and RWD fashions in the marketplace. Issues modified within the 2014 mannequin yr when Tesla launched a dual-motor AWD model of the Mannequin S (85D).
Within the 2015 mannequin yr, Tesla expanded the dual-motor household to a couple variations (a few quarter of all variations in the marketplace, on the time), after which doubled the AWD lineup with the newly launched Mannequin X within the 2016 mannequin yr.
We needed to wait till the 2018 mannequin yr to see the AWD Tesla Mannequin 3, and till the 2019 mannequin yr to see the primary non-Tesla, dual-motor, AWD mannequin: the Audi e-tron SUV and Jaguar I-Tempo. On the time, the share of AWD accounted for about half of all EV configurations.
The AWD domination progressed, initially by premium/high-performance fashions. Nonetheless, later, the mainstream fashions began to get all-wheel drive variations too.
Within the 2023 mannequin yr, we noticed the primary tri-motor, all-wheel drive EVs—the Audi e-tron S, which was geared up with one electrical motor within the entrance, and two separate electrical motors within the rear. In the meantime, Rivian launched its quad-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain in R1T and R1S fashions (one motor per wheel).
Having a dual-motor AWD system helps with traction and efficiency, and has some advantages associated to regenerative braking. The tri-motor or quad-motor variations can enhance efficiency additional by torque vectoring of explicit wheels.
There are drawbacks as nicely, within the type of complexity, value and weight. Effectivity can also be barely compromised, thus single-motor fashions are on the prime of the vitality consumption rating. It may additionally be troublesome to suit two impartial motors within the entrance as a result of it is the steering axle.
The twin-motor system is the only and most cost-effective “good-enough” technique to obtain all-wheel drive. We additionally consider that it is “simpler” or extra “native” if you want, to develop an AWD EV with two electrical motors than an inside combustion engine car with AWD.
AWD domination in 2024
There are greater than 300 particular person EV configurations on sale, together with totally different battery sizes, ranges, powertrain setups, and wheels. In keeping with our knowledge, roughly three-quarters (some 250), or 75% of them are all-wheel drive.
Within the case of front-wheel drive configurations, there are solely about 30 of them (lower than 9%). Rear-wheel drive configurations account for practically a 17% share (56 configurations).
These numbers don’t routinely imply that gross sales of AWD automobiles characterize 75%—that is the variety of configurations—however evidently electrification transforms the automotive market in direction of AWD.
We are going to see whether or not this pattern will proceed, as a result of clearly, the single-motor automobiles must be inexpensive and plenty of corporations at the moment are engaged on extra inexpensive fashions. There is perhaps a brand new wave of FWD/RWD fashions and their gross sales is perhaps increased than AWD a number of years from now.