A newly reported electric vehicle motor could transform EV design by trimming drastic weight and increasing driving range. The motor in question is an in-wheel unit that delivers exceptionally high power relative to its mass. It weighs just about 28 pounds and can produce up to roughly 1,000 horsepower at peak output, breaking previous power-density records for compact electric motors. That level of power comes with a very light package, increasing the potential for substantial vehicle weight reduction, tells Live Science.
The breakthrough centers on locating the motor inside the wheel itself, which eliminates the need for traditional heavy mechanical components such as driveshafts, rear brakes, and differential systems. Removing these elements doesn’t just reduce mass directly; it reshapes how EVs are packaged. Lighter mass at each wheel also allows for smaller supporting hardware and lighter batteries while still hitting long-range targets. Some estimates suggest that an EV designed around these in-wheel systems from the start could shed more than 1,100 pounds compared with conventional designs.
In addition to weight savings, this motor design is paired with an equally compact, high-power inverter that helps convert electrical energy efficiently for wheel-by-wheel control. That setup supports strong regenerative braking, meaning a large portion of braking energy gets reused instead of wasted, a key factor in range extension.
Experts see this type of motor as more than a novelty. If integrated with other lightweighting strategies and advanced battery tech, it could push many EVs well beyond typical range benchmarks without growing battery size. This approach also opens room for redesigning vehicle architectures in ways that favor interior space and aerodynamic efficiency.
The current model remains in prototype phase, with further validation needed before mass-market application. Still, its combination of high power, low weight, and packaging simplicity marks one of the most promising hardware improvements for electric cars in recent years.