Why Electric Motors Are Just... Better | Random Thursday

We hear a lot about EV batteries, but not so much about the motors that give the cars such high performance. So today I'll be talking about the 3-phase AC Induction motor, created by Nikola Tesla, and why it's taking over the auto industry.

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LINKS LINKS LINKS:

Fully Charged EV VW bus that discusses the motor:

Induction Motors

Brushless Motors -

Permanent magnet motor -

Synchronous motor -

Universal motors -

3-phase electricity -

[mhoover]

More accurately, an engine uses a heat process and a motor doesn't. A motor doesn't have to be electric. It could be hydraulic for instance.

[darraghtate]

I still find it funny that Americans think manual transmissions are a niche thing.


In most countries, they make up the vast majority.

[eviljesus]

9:22 - You should amend that with: "in the U.S.", as in "niche product in the U.S." In the majority of Europe, it's automatic transmission cars that are niche.

[calamusgladiofortior]

Pshaw, I say. Steam cars are the way of the future. Now excuse me while I go cut a cord of firewood for my next roadtrip...

[famitory]

"just change the frequency to change the speed" is a bit of a gloss-over that could've used a tangent cam. making a variable frequency oscillator that can kick out motor levels of amps is a marvel of engineering that deserves as much attention as the motors, in my opinion

[ashleykingston]

I did a contract with an EV drivetrain manufacturer, Magtec, in the UK. They made drivetrains for big 26T refuse vehicles and small goods vehicles. We had to software restrict reverse because yes, it would do 70mph in reverse. We also had to "fake" a ICE style power curve to the pedal as the refuse lorry drivers could not get used to the power from a standing start and would crash the vehicles! 😂

[editorrbr]

I am a gearhead: I have always loved cars and working on them. Some of my fondest memories are rebuilding a classic GTO with my grandad. I take great pride in being able to repair these incredibly-engineered products. I am by no means unique here.

But it is time — well-past time — to retire those skills and attitude. EV is the future.

[chucksmith]

I have been watching some of your old videos...how to make an “Old Fashioned” from 2015, (hilarious) and how to break the power of negative thinking from 2013, which was very honest and thought provoking. You are easily the best channel on YouTube. Thank you and best wishes for the future.

[Ron-rszl]

I drove manual trans for many years, then I got tired of shifting, then I got tired of pushing the gas pedal, now I'm getting tired of holding the steering wheel, but I still want the drivers seat, to be "in control".

[Rick_Cavallaro]

I love your channel, but I have to pick one nit... The reason internal combustion engines are so inefficient, is not because they have to push all those pistons, con-rods, and crankshaft around. They have an absolute theoretical efficiency limit defined by the Carnot cycle. Relative to that maximum theoretical efficiency, they're actually reasonably good (when operating at the most efficient RPM and load). But they do still have a crappy theoretical max efficiency, so they still kinda suck.

[Agnemons]

Well, my manual transmission is fast turning into an effective anti theft device :)

[joshuarice]

Loved it Joe. Test drove a Tesla model 3 today in London and it is brilliant. Loved it. Everyone in the UK, book a test drive even if just to try it and you can tell others.

[connecticutaggie]

Clarification: The motor @ 3:49 is an AC Motor but not an AC Induction Motor. An AC Induction Motor does not have permanent magnets for it, the field on the rotor is "induced" by the electromagnets in the stator.

[femmechanic]

As a mechanic who sees the disadvantages of ICE on a daily basis, I am all for EVs. What troubles me the most is when people are turned away from EVs and hybrids out of fear that the battery packs will fail and cost a fortune to replace. Thanks Joe for another informative video!!👍 I am forever subscribed. 😁

[garn]

Glad to see you getting this basic on electric motors,
seriously, most people have no idea how they work. Again, SERIOUSLY! I think it
helps a lot of people understand why EVs are better, if for no other reason
than just how “basic” they truly are.

[everettdale]

I completely agree. I don't have an electric car (yet) but I just bought an battery powered electric lawnmower and it's better than ANY gas powered one I've ever had.

[TheWise]

Fun fact, in geman there is no differece between engine and motor. There is only motor.
And i hope the EV´s got a little bit cheaper. Unfortunatly i cant afford an EV by now, but i will get one as soon I have the money.

[kontribute]

Great vid Joe. I have an explaner vid to add to my library for next time I'm trying to explain it. Thanks for the shortcut.

[berlineczka]

In Europe is not only manual transmissions the norm and not a niche, but also the most common meaning of ICE is inter-city express. A train, which is a niche in the USA...

[philipptielmann]

permanent magnet motors are almost always also synchronous motors. so naming both as different types was a little misleading. there are just two general categories: synchronous vs asynchronous and AC vs DC. Technically those make the axis of a matrix. within these categories there are several technical solutions