It seems like dual motor EVs have significantly less range. Can’t dual motor EVs run in single motor mode to save range and only use the 2nd motor when absolutely necessary? The motor can’t weigh that much that it contributes to often 50mi difference in range.
In: Technology
A single electric motor will use less electricity to produce 200 hp than two motors will use to each produce 100 hp to the wheels. This is due to the energy loss in converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. There will be twice as many bearings involved (friction), twice as many wires/windings (electrical current loss), and twice as many gears/drivetrain points (inertia loss).
The performance upside is that doubling of components also means the entire vehicle can handle more total electrical current and will have twice as much traction (tire contact area) to the ground to better translate electrical power to forward vehicular acceleration and velocity.
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