Draft 2

  The webpage “Models' from Tesla(n.d.) introduces their flagship model, Tesla Model S plaid citing its impressive range and high performance. The latest vehicle utilizes the tri motor AWD system as it`s power unit. Put simply, the tri motor AWD works by converting electricity from the 407-volt lithium-ion battery pack into mechanical energy in the form of torque to propel the vehicle forward (Owen, 2023). However, It's more than just using 3 motors instead of 2 that makes this vehicle so quick, otherwise the Rivian R1 that has 4 motors should have been the fastest (Hoffman, 2022). The system is designed with permanent-magnet synchronous AC induction motors, with carbon fiber wrapped rotors capable of generating 752 pounds of torque (Vanderwerp, 2021). The motors are also strategically placed around the car, 2 in the rear axis and 1 in the front axis (Kooverjee, 2023). Allowing better traction and stability even in bad weather, since each wheel is individually controlled by a motor (Johnson, 2023). The tri motor also features a regenerative braking system, allowing users the ability to utilize only one pedal to drive. As when removing their foot off the pedal, the vehicle begins to decelerate all while the motor recovers energy and transfers it to electricity again (Johnson, 2023).

The tri motor AWD system is undeniably a key element in making the Tesla Model S Plaid the highest performing EV in terms of speed and driving range due to its motor`s capability.

The 3 permanent-magnet synchronous AC induction motors used are not only resilient to extreme environmental conditions, it is also adjustable so that the motor starts with the greatest torque in the range of 92-95% efficiency (Karthik, 2019). Tesla has taken this concept even further, by making the motor laminates into a stack instead of a single piece, and combined with a magnet that is twice as powerful as the magnets used in the Model Y. Its output results in 25% more peak torque and power all while without increasing additional weight (Wang, 2022).

Additionally, the carbon fiber retention sleeves that are used to hold the rotors inside the motor in place, also restricts expansion radically due to the centrifugal force when spinning as it continuously compresses the rotor, allowing for higher RPM. This creates a stronger electromagnetic field than a conventional rotor kept together by metal, allowing the motor to be built smaller and light enough to be lifted by a single person (Bower, 2021). This has resulted in requiring significantly less energy to spin to produce the same amount of mechanical energy, boosting it`s efficiency (Luthada, 2023).

The strategic placement of the motors allows for torque vectoring, enhancing the turn-in response by changing the torque difference from the head to the rear. And by transmitting additional torque to the outer wheels for rotation, it allows for more traction (Bell, 2022).

It also cuts out the necessity for a differential, which is a set of gears used to rotate the inner wheel quicker so the car can turn. Therefore by removing the differential, the potential loss of energy through the gears or friction is eliminated (Hoffman, 2022).

Lastly, the regenerative braking not only produces a resistance that brings the vehicle to a stop, it also uses the motor`s ability to run in reverse to convert up to 70% of kinetic energy when braking into electricity which would normally be dissipated as heat in a conventional brake (Armstrong, 2023). This increases the lifespan of the brake pads, improves the motor's energy efficiency, and lessens the effect of the vehicle on the environment (Smet, 2023).

All of this functionality gives the model s Plaid a maximum velocity of 322 km/h, 1020 peak horsepower and capabilities of attaining acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.1 seconds. With the longest possible range for driving per charge of 637 km. All of which is far higher than the equivalent existing EVs (Lee, C., Hua, W., Long, T., Jiang, C., & Iyer, L, 2021).

However, while the model s plaid is an impressive electric vehicle with remarkable acceleration and performance, it has a hidden carbon footprint like any EV in the market. As in order to manufacture one EV battery, 500,000 pounds of earth crust is processed. With the leading causes of emission split into material production, cell manufacturing and mining (Baterna, 2023).

As production of the battery utilizes rare metals like lithium from environmentally destructive mines, they are heavily processed using toxic chemicals and what's unused are dumped back to the environment, which damages is akin to oil drilling (Wade, 2016).

And because of this, the manufacturing of EV generates more carbon emission than building a conventional car at the early stage (Nealer, Reichmuth, Anair, 2015).

REFERENCE

Owen, J. (2023). The 12 Best Features Of The Tesla Plaid. Slashgear. https://www.slashgear.com/848196/the-12-best-features-of-the-tesla-plaid/

Lee, C., Hua, W., Long, T., Jiang, C., & Iyer, L. (2021). A Critical Review of Emerging Technologies for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles. IEEE. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9664303

VanderWerp, D. (2021, December 8). Tested: 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid Is Absurdly Quick but Also Has a Few Key Flaws. Car And Driver. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a38423992/2021-tesla-model-s-plaid-by-the-numbers/

Kooverjee, N. (2023, September 5). Here’s what makes the tesla model X plaid so fast. TopSpeed. https://www.topspeed.com/what-makes-tesla-model-x-plaid-so-fast/#:~:text=Tesla%20goes%20several%20steps%20ahead,third%20powers%20the%20front%20wheels. 

Smet, A. (2023, September 8). Tesla’s Regenerative Braking: The Game-Changer that

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https://medium.com/the-tesla-digest/teslas-regenerative-braking-the-game-changer-that

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Karthik, S. H. (2019, May 3). Types of motors used in electric vehicles. Different. https://circuitdigest.com/article/different-types-of-motors-used-in-electric-vehicles-ev 

Luthada, P. (2023, February 17). How tesla’s “carbon-wrapped” motor with AFP could revolutionize electrification in automotive. Addcomposites. https://www.addcomposites.com/post/how-tesla-s-carbon-wrapped-motor-with-afp-could-revolutionize-electrification-in-automotive#:~:text=A%20brief%20overview%20of%20Tesla’s%20new%20carbon%2Dwrapped%20motor,-image%20showing%

20no&text=Tesla’s%20Plaid%20motor%20uses%20a,to%20spin%20at%20higher%20rpms. 

Bower, G. (2021, June 16). Engineering analysis of new Tesla Model S Plaid Supercar. InsideEVs. https://insideevs.com/news/514385/tesla-models-plaid-engineering-analysis/ 

Wang, B. (2022, February 25). Magic Rotor Technology in Tesla Model S Plaid Motors. NextBigFuture.com. https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2022/02/secrets-of-the-tesla-model-s-motors.html 

Lambert, F. (2021, June 14). Elon Musk elaborates on Tesla’s new electric motor, teases even crazier motor for New Roadster. Electrek. https://electrek.co/2021/06/14/elon-musk-tesla-new-electric-motor-teases-crazier-motor-roadster/ 

Johnson, R. (2023, July 30). Tesla Model S Plaid 75 insane features of the world’s fastest electric sedan! Tesla Model S Plaid 75 Insane Features of The Fastest EV. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tesla-model-s-plaid/ 

Hoffman, S. (2022, August 8). The real reason Tesla developed the Plaid Motor!. The Tesla Space. https://www.theteslaspace.com/latest-posts/the-real-reason-tesla-developed-the-plaid-motor-blog 

Armstrong, K. (2023, July 14). How tesla’s Regenerative Braking Works. Not a Tesla App. https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/1051/how-tesla-s-regenerative-braking-works#:~:text=What%20is%20Tesla’s%20Regenerative%20Braking,to%20slow%20down%20the%20vehicle. 

Nealer, R., Reichmuth, D., & Anair, D. (2015, October 29). Cleaner cars from Cradle to Grave. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/cleaner-cars-cradle-grave#.Vv0_OhIrKRt 

Baterna, Q. (2023, August 19). The hidden carbon footprint of electric vehicles. SlashGear. https://www.slashgear.com/1366535/hidden-carbon-footprint-of-electric-vehicles/#:~:text=Although%20EVs%20usually%20do%20not,air%20conditioner%20and%20HFC%20leakage. 

Wade, L. (2016, March 31). Tesla’s electric cars aren’t as Green as you might think. Wired. https://www.wired.com/2016/03/teslas-electric-cars-might-not-green-think/ 

Bell, S. (2022, January 8). Tesla announces track mode with Torque Vectoring for the Model S Plaid. Carscoops. https://www.carscoops.com/2022/01/tesla-announces-track-mode-with-torque-vectoring-for-model-s-plaid/