Tesla Motors Club
I was wondering if someone could explain to me why electric cars don't come with equipped with traditional gearboxes? I know in simple terms, they don't really NEED them, and I also know that early Teslas had a simple two-speed gearbox that ultimately couldn't be made to work properly.
But every account I've read about electric cars states that as speed increases, acceleration tapers off. An electric motor can spin an input shaft just as a ICE can, so why not do it and take advantage of the gearing? You'd be able to get that initial low RPM torque hit multiple times. Can you imagine how fast a Roadster would be, with a shorter final drive, hooked to a proper six-speed?!
Haven't there been private electric conversions where this type of arrangement was used? Is it an issue with drag? Gear whine? Or simply complexity?
But every account I've read about electric cars states that as speed increases, acceleration tapers off. An electric motor can spin an input shaft just as a ICE can, so why not do it and take advantage of the gearing? You'd be able to get that initial low RPM torque hit multiple times. Can you imagine how fast a Roadster would be, with a shorter final drive, hooked to a proper six-speed?!
Haven't there been private electric conversions where this type of arrangement was used? Is it an issue with drag? Gear whine? Or simply complexity?