Understanding the Types of Electric Motors Available for Electric Vehicles

Electric motors are a key component of electric vehicles as they help power the various systems within these vehicles. As electric vehicle designs have evolved in recent years, so too have the types of motors available in the market.

“There's a broad range of potential design topologies available,” said Eric Berndt, Mobility & Electrification Technologies Specialist at Schaeffler.

He said there are four main types of electric motors used in emobility applications:

• brushless DC motors
• asynchronous motors
• switch reluctance motors and
• permanent magnet motors.

Each electric motor (also referred to as emachines) has its own unique design characteristics which can benefit various types of applications. Understanding the differences between these motor types and the applications for which each is best suited will ensure the right option is selected for a given electric vehicle design.

In this interview with Power & Motion, Berndt outlines the design features of each electric motor type as well as important factors to consider when selecting a motor for an emobility application.