Lucid is eying two-speed transmissions as new patents confirm the company is exploring other methods to help improve efficiency and performance for future EV models.
Lucid appears to be upgrading its transmisson technology according to a newly revealed patent.
When it comes to building EVs, Lucid has rapidly gained a reputation for building the most efficient EVs in the segment. This is mostly due to their battery and powertrain technology with both items forming two key pillars for the Air sedan as well as the Gravity SUV. While Lucid has no problem pushing the limits of these two items, the company knows that it also has to explore other methods at achieving the same goals.
This appears to include new transmission technology with newly submitted patents confirming that the firm is working on an all-new two-speed transmission which could eventually make its way into future Lucid models in an attempt to expand the ways the company can raise the bar on efficiency and performance.
Patents point to interesting side project for Lucid engineers
The two-speed transmission promises a new level of efficiency for future models.
The patents that the company filed appear to be an evolution in the way that it uses planetary gearsets with Lucid’s existing drive unit using two of these gearsets on either side to help reduce the speed of the electric motor which not only helps reduce the weight and mass of the coaxial unit but also achieve a coaxial layout.
The same core principle also applies here but in this case, the proposed transmission uses one or two planetary gearsets on either side to help achieve its two-speed capability. The final design is slightly concealed due to the way Lucid laid out the drawings but a system of one-way clutches plays a key role in making sure that the setup can function as intended. It’s not known how much of an efficiency gain this would create but Lucid will welcome any form of benefit that the setup can generate in EVs.
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Lucid has ambition in its sight
Lucid is hoping the technology will help add a jolt to its vehicle sales.
Lucid has always punched above its weight class when it comes to EVs and chances are good that the company is eager to continue this with the new two-speed transmission that it’s developing. Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson has indicated in past interviews that the company wants its future products to be able to deliver six miles per kilowatt-hour. That would be one mile more than the most efficient version of the Air which can get five miles per kilowatt-hour.
While this might not seem like much of a gain, it becomes a massive increase when viewed alongside other technologies already used in Lucid models. The extra mile translates into bigger amounts of range and the more efficient a drivetrain is, the more customers can get back in the form of faster recharging speeds. It’s not known when the updated transmission will eventually see production, but while chances are good that the Gravity will miss out on it for now, other models might get it in the future. They include a planned mid-size car as well as a smaller crossover the company hinted at a short while ago.
Do they want to patent a planetary transmission? Has anyone told them it’s already been invented?