- The new 2-speed structure can be light and compact while maintaining efficiency
- It may allow a solid launch with a low-cost motor unit
- The idea may be due to the upcoming Lucid EVs, or the developers may still be thinking about it
The Lucid Air electric sedan already achieves impressive efficiency with its existing drive unit, but the automaker may consider 2-speed transmission for future use, the patent filing indicates.
The patent, first spotted by Motor1, was filed in 2023 and looks to build on a drive unit setup, using two coaxial planetary gears to provide the necessary reduction from vehicle speed to wheel speed while keeping the packaging compact.
It describes the use of one or more planetary gears to achieve two gear ratioswith a spur gear area in each gear and a system of one-way clutches switch between them.
Most electric cars are not compatible with multi-speed, but they have long been a topic of discussion. The original Tesla Roadster was supposed to use a 2-speed gearbox, but that was replaced with a fixed reduction gear after the prototypes failed to handle the car's high torque.
Lucid 2-speed transmission. – US patent
Lucid, in the patent application, gave almost identical explanations to Green Car Reports in the past from CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson about why it hasn't used a multi-speed unit. In the filing, the company's authors explain that the gearboxes already used in several models of electric vehicles “are complex mechanisms that take up a lot of space, can have low efficiency and/or deliver low torque, and impose a large inertia load on the drivetrain (eg, i -excessive jerk when shifting).”
If such a part does not take up the initial space or reduce the efficiency, while allowing for smaller, lighter motors, it combines them Lucid's upcoming Atlas drive unit it could pay off in avoided costs and weight—although the company has made no claims yet that this patent has anything to do with Atlas.
Next-generation Lucid Atlas drive unit – first strapped to future midsize EVs
“Lucid continuously explores new ideas and develops new technologies that can advance our electric vehicle technology and help accelerate humanity's transition to sustainable transportation and energy,” the company said, responding to a question from Green Car Reports about whether this patent could be linked. in Atlas and thus its intermediate models, initially. “Protecting unique IP is a normal part of the innovation and development process, although we cannot address potential claims for specific patents.”
2024 Lucid Air
The Porsche Taycan has a 2-speed rear-wheel drive gearbox, which Porsche says helps balance acceleration and high-speed performance. The 'box has a low gear that helps deliver more torque from a standstill, while keeping the rear engine and powertrain cool. The top gear engages automatically at a certain speed limit, or if the drive is slightly up on the accelerator (manual shifting is not possible), and driving it gently can skip the low ratio altogether.
In the two-motor versions of the Model S, Tesla used motors with different gears to achieve the same goals. Volkswagen is also confident that they can find other ways to increase efficiency. In a recent interview with Green Car Reports, Kai Grünitz, VW's global head of research and development, said the automaker still has no plans to use 2-speed transmissions in EVs.
On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz is using a 2-speed transmission on its next-generation MMA platform, which will support four compact models starting with the 2026 Mercedes CLA, which will be sold with electric and hybrid powertrains. And maybe Lucid will follow suit and include an extra gear ratio in some of its future EVs.
–with reporting by Bengt Halvorson