Crucially we have no details on gearboxes. Both companies are boasting about more torque, but have they any idea what that will do to the transmission? It's not the maximum that's the problem - it's the fact that an e-motor can change rotational forces very swiftly.
Marrying single speed to expected performance will delay the product. Alternatively using a conventional box will require them to modify the acceleration profile to protect the gearbox from motor torque transients.
Who knows, maybe they'll have to keep the flywheel.
Of course, unlike Tesla, both Porsche and Chrysler can bend gearbox manufacturers to their will, but to be honest I feel that until electrical energy storage improves significantly then the creation of a bomb-proof EV gearbox is just a heavy, expensive and uneccessary development. Why drive faster? You just hit empty sooner.
Forgive me if I'm being obtuse, but since this (Tesla/electric powered vehicles) is all about the development of "new" technology/a "new" way of doing things, then why is a "gearbox" (let alone a multi-speed gearbox) such a necessity?
Doesn't the implementation of "old school" thinking in "new school" ideology defeat the purpose altogether? I mean, judging by all of the snags, hangups, financial losses, managerial restructuring and engineering shortfalls encountered throughout the (continuing) efforts to develop a multi-speed gearbox for the Tesla, the one seems to be canceling the other, so why bother?