Draft 4

Draft 4

The web page “Models” from Tesla (n.d.) introduces its flagship model, the Tesla Model S plaid, citing its impressive range and fast acceleration. The latest vehicle uses the tri-motor AWD as its powertrain, placing 2 of the motors in the rear and 1 in the front (Kooverjee, 2023). The motors work 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 is more than just using 3 motors that allows this vehicle to be so quick (Hoffman, 2022). The new motor system is designed to use permanent-magnet synchronous AC induction motors that can generate 752 pounds of torque. Additionally, the carbon fibre-wrapped rotors inside the motor, allows rotation of up to 20,000 RPM, roughly 25% quicker than previously (Vanderwerp, 2021). The tri-motor also features a regenerative braking system, allowing users to operate the vehicle with one pedal only. As by removing pressure off the pedal, it decelerates the vehicle, while the motors work to recover the kinetic energy and transfer it to electricity (Johnson, 2023).

The tri-motor AWD system, due to its efficiency, high peak torque and power, and ability to eliminate the loss of power, helps the Model S Plaid achieve its impressive range and faster acceleration.

In terms of efficiency of the motor, the tri-motor system uses permanent-magnet synchronous AC induction motors that are not only resilient to ecological factors, they are also adjustable so that the motor powers on with the greater torque in the range of 92-95% efficiency (Karthik, 2019). Additionally, the carbon fibre sleeves used to encase the rotors inside the motor restrict expansion when spinning, enabling an increase in RPM. This creates a more potent electromagnetic field than a conventional rotor secured by metal (Bower, 2021). Lastly, with the motor built lighter, it results in less energy to spin to produce the same amount of mechanical energy (Luthada, 2023).

In terms of the peak torque and power of the motor, the magnets used in the tri-motor are double in strength compared to Model Y. Furthermore, Tesla layers the motor laminates into a stack instead of a single piece. This results in increase of 25% peak torque and power without increasing additional weight (Wang, 2022).

In terms of eliminating the loss of power, the placement of the 2 motors in the rear, cuts out the necessity for a differential, which is a set of gears used in rotating the inner wheel quicker so the car can turn. When the differential, the potential loss of energy when traveling via the gears or friction is eliminated (Hoffman, 2022). Additionally, the motor`s regenerative braking system (RBS) not only produces a force that decelerates the vehicle, but also uses the motor`s ability to operate in inverse, converting about 70% of the velocity energy into electricity when stopping. The RBS reuses the velocity energy, which would otherwise be dissipated as thermal energy in a conventional brake system, thus improving the driving extend of the Model S Plaid (Armstrong, 2023).

Overall, the Model S Plaid has a maximum travel distance of 637 KM per charge, which is significantly higher than any EV in the market (Lee, Hua, Long, Jiang, & Iyer, 2021). Additionally, the Model S Plaid also can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds, making it the quickest-accelerating production car tested by MotorTrend, competing against similar EVs that are produced by Porsche, Audi, and Mercedes (Fox, 2023).

However, while EVs generally are more eco-friendly than conventional combustion vehicles, EVs have unnoticed environmental impacts during its manufacturing. One example of a hidden environmental impact is, in the production for 1 battery, 500,000 pounds of ground is treated, emitting roughly 100 KG of CO2 combined, during the process of: manufacturing, cell fabrication and extraction (Baterna, 2023). In extreme cases, such as the mines in Jiangxi, China, after sorting out the desired material, the rest of the processed ground, now polluted with substances, is discarded into nature (Wade, 2016). Due to this, the manufacturing of EVs generates higher emissions than a traditional car in the beginning (Nealer, Reichmuth, & Anair, 2015).

In conclusion, the tri-motor AWD system is an impressive electric motor that has added benefits such as higher torque and power, better efficiency as well as the elimination of loss of power. This results in a higher-performing vehicle like the Model S Plaid with its impressive driving range and quick acceleration. Even though EVs have a hidden carbon footprint, it is still more beneficial for the environment to drive an electrical vehicle than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle due to the zero-emission tailpipe.



References



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


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


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/


Fox, E. (2023, January 7). Tesla Model S plaid is fastest car from 0-60 mph ever tested by Motortrend. Tesmania. https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-model-s-plaid-is-fastest-electric-cars-from-0-60-mph-tested-by-motortrend


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Owen, J. (2023, January 24). The 12 best features of the Tesla Plaid. SlashGear. https://www.slashgear.com/848196/the-12-best-features-of-the-tesla-plaid/


Tesla. (n.d). Design your Model S. Tesla. https://www.tesla.com/models/design#overview


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/


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/


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