Win the Range Race with ProteanDrive

The formula: Remove the rear eAxle, put 39kWh battery in it’s place, add 2 x ProteanDrive = 4WD, 1000km range*

As with performance, many vehicle manufacturers like to offer 4WD performance variants of their products because they improve margins, expand market reach and gain footfall in the dealerships.

Current market status is that when vehicles move from 2WD to 4WD they always lose range, the extent varies among manufacturers. Our simulations show that a vehicle of the specifications shown in our animation, which are perhaps typical of a European D/E segment vehicle, will lose around 55km in range when switching to 4WD.

However, replacing one eAxle with ProteanDrive in-wheel motors frees-up a significant amount of space in the vehicle, and, based on the analysis done by our partner Arcadlon, it is a simple job to package an additional 39 kWhs of batteries, using currently available modules. Modelling 39kWh of batteries shows an increased drive cycle range of 200km. This puts the vehicle in a unique market position, namely an extended range 4WD vehicle. Taking this concept to the limit with current technology and with the highest level of integration on the vehicle, an additional 64kWhs of battery capacity is available, increasing the range by a further 150km.

Note: Our study used a well documented platform, available on the market, in order to demonstrated the possibilities that ProteanDrive offers. We have also calculated that though application of the IWMs does not increase vehicle weight to the same extent as an eAxle, there is some increase and this will have a small but measurable impact on the range. We have calculated this at 5km. Battery limitations would also need to be considered. In this scenario, the upgrade would not need any major structural modification of the platform and the required engineering efforts would also be well justified with the benefits delivered.

*Based on standard vehicle range of 750km