China’s compact in-wheel engine promises 201 bhp output, enhanced EV range

China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has unveiled a new inline electric motor, also known as an in-wheel engine, that can revolutionize electric vehicles as we know them.

The main feature of the inline electric motor is that it can be fitted in the wheel of the car, and manufacturers can completely remove gear boxes, driveshafts, and other parts to make the drivetrain more compact.

The gamechanger can perform 30,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) at top speed, which is much higher than the performance of electric motors used in EVs these days.

According to a report by Ecoticias , the motor is quite small and it measures just 330 mm in diameter. This increases the chance of it getting packed in all kinds and sizes of vehicle wheels.

The report also mentions that it has a weight of just 37 pounds (16.8 kg), which not only boost performance but also helps in keeping the overall vehicle light.

The inline motor is capable of producing roughly 201 brake horsepower (bhp) of output. Bhp is the unit of measurement for the power of a car’s engine after accounting for losses due to friction and other factors.

GAC’s in-wheel engine

The in-wheel engine’s increased efficiency, reduced weight, and the exclusion of gear box and other components can result in significant improvements in the performance of the vehicle in question.

According to the Ecoticias report , the in-wheel engine can offer up to 31 miles (50 km) additional range to the EV, making them even more lucrative.

The motor also has high peak efficiency and it outdoes the current players in the market by quite a lot, making it ideal for real-world applications. It also boasts of maximum torque of 350 Nm which can make the EV fit for off-roading alongside regular commute on city roads and highways.

GAC plans to begin mass producing the in-wheel engine by 2025, the Group is also looking at integrating it with various electric vehicle offerings present in the market to boost adaptability.

Decarbonizing the world through EVs

GAC’s in-wheel engine can be thought of as another big achievement in the race to decarbonize the world through adoption of EVs.

While conventional EVs are definitely a step forward in this direction, but bigger and better vehicles with improved technology will always play a key role in making customers choose them over traditional ICE vehicles.

Recently, Protean Electric – a developer of in-wheel motors – had also unveiled a new suite of products built on its Gen 5 ProteanDrive modular architecture.

The Protean’s Gen5 platform expansion was showcased at the Cenex Expo 2024 earlier this month.

The company had unveiled the ProteanMotor Pm18 – 800V, which delivers 110kW and 1500Nm of torque.

“In-wheel motors are transforming the future of electric vehicles by offering superior efficiency, performance, and design flexibility and today we demonstrate that we are at the forefront of this innovation. Our IWM experience and the adaptability of our Gen5 modular platform, allows us to create a compact and lightweight offering, the Pm-18 800V,” said Stephen Lambert, Chief Technology Officer of Protean Electric.