Why do EV's in general have poor top speed

[2021mustangdan]

Compared to my Mustangs in the past, it seems EV's in general have poor top speed EXCEPT Tesla, why ?

Tesla Model 3 RWD base. 139 mph
Tesla Model S 162 mph
Mach-E Select/Premium 112 mph
Mach- E GT 124 mph
Chevrolet Bolt EV 2LT 90 mph
Nissan Leaf Plus 98 mph
Mini Cooper SE 93 mph
Kona Electric 103 mph
Ioniq 5 115 mph

2007 Mustang GT 149 mph
2021 Mustang GT 159 mph

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[hawkeye3point1]

Single speed transmission is the easy answer. Even electric motors have a max safe RPM.

The Chevy Volt has a smart transaxle design that allows the the traction motor to switch from 1:1 to 1:2 ratio at highway speeds.

 

[2021mustangdan]

Single speed transmission is the easy answer. Even electric motors have a max safe RPM.

The Chevy Volt has a smart transaxle design that allows the the traction motor to switch from 1:1 to 1:2 ratio at highway speeds.

Does not explain why Tesla retains better high speed than others including base Model 3 rwd

 

[mwtechy]

I'm curious too if it's a software limitation or a hardware limitation or a combination of both. If the system was hacked to override the limiter would we see it damaging the engine or something? Or if it was hacked to open things up even more would this be performing a bit too well for what it was designed for. Looks like mums the word though if an after market hack could turn this thing into some kinda beast if it is just software? https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38331536/2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-gt-performance-tested/

 

[hawkeye3point1]

Does not explain why Tesla retains better high speed than others including base Model 3 rwd

True, not that familiar with Tesla drive train, perhaps they have some type of gearing like Porsche EVs.

 

[voxel]

ID.4 RWD maxes out at 99mph.

Porsche Taycan has two speed gearing and has a higher top speed than most EVs at 162mph.

 

[Mach1E]

True, not that familiar with Tesla drive train, perhaps they have some type of gearing like Porsche EVs.

They’re 1 speed.

 

[hawkeye3point1]

They’re 1 speed.

Thanks.

It seems some Tesla's have dual motors with each motor having a different ratio to enhance low and high speed performance. The Plaid motor can spin over 23k RPM, which explains it's 200 mph top speed.

 

[jeffdawgfan]

My reply would be that unless your are driving on a track no one needs to driver faster than about 80mph...unless you are out west on the open highway or European autobahn.

 

[Mach1E]

Thanks.

It seems some Tesla's have dual motors with each motor having a different ratio to enhance low and high speed performance. The Plaid motor can spin over 23k RPM, which explains it's 200 mph top speed.

The Mach E also has different ratios front and rear.

 

[Kevin P]

Thanks.

It seems some Tesla's have dual motors with each motor having a different ratio to enhance low and high speed performance. The Plaid motor can spin over 23k RPM, which explains it's 200 mph top speed.

Actual Plaid top speed is in the 160s, at which speed it is reported to be terrifying. Tesla says it may be improved to 200 one day, but per Car and Driver it drove so poorly at 160 that 200 would be like a death wish.

 

[Motomax]

Does not explain why Tesla retains better high speed than others including base Model 3 rwd

It does though. Just like in ICE cars, different electric motors have different power curves and max RPM.

I'm curious too if it's a software limitation or a hardware limitation or a combination of both. If the system was hacked to override the limiter would we see it damaging the engine or something? Or if it was hacked to open things up even more would this be performing a bit too well for what it was designed for. Looks like mums the word though if an after market hack could turn this thing into some kinda beast if it is just software? https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38331536/2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-gt-performance-tested/

Everything these days is software limited. 120mph is a common limit that is imposed on street cars. Just like everything else, there’s a safety factor built in to speed limits. Yes you could go above it, how much above it depends on a lot of factors.

 

[ponydsp]

You mean at 200 MPH, all the rattles and such, the car will just disintegrate?!

Actual Plaid top speed is in the 160s, at which speed it is reported to be terrifying. Tesla says it may be improved to 200 one day, but per Car and Driver it drove so poorly at 160 that 200 would be like a death wish.

 

[2021mustangdan]

It is hard to believe that the Chevrolet Bolt EV 2LT top speed is 90 mph, almost unsafe on the highway. In southern ontario , it is common to see average speeds over 85 mph on Hwy 400, 401.

So the question is whether the Mach-E top speed is limited by software or hardware.

 

[DYohn]

Does not explain why Tesla retains better high speed than others including base Model 3 rwd

Design. They designed it for that speed. Others did not. And along with top motor RPM it is also about battery thermal management. The more heat the design can pull away from the battery then the higher its output levels can be for longer.

So basically, you don't want your EV motor to fly apart or your battery to burst into flames, and different manufacturers use different designs.

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