Geely, the Chinese conglomerate with a series of brands under its belt that includes Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, has unveiled a new electric drive unit that it claims as a remarkable level of efficiency. It’s called the 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive, and it combines the core electric drive hardware needed for a car into a compact design. That doesn’t sound exceptional… until you see that it’s incredibly compact and weighs just 165.3 pounds. If it lives up to the rest of its claims, it’s a game changer for EVs.
The 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive Claims
Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-DriveGeely
We’ll share this right away: Geely states the 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive achieves 93.8% efficiency. We’re cautiously optimistic about that, as it’s based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, which itself can be a tad optimistic. However, by combining the physical components of the electric motor, motor controller, and reducer, the unit uses fewer parts than a typical drive system. According to Geely, Intelligent E-Drive makes 180 parts redundant, allowing the unit to be so compact (just 12.8 inches high) and so light.
The weight loss doesn’t stop there, though. By combining components, Geely says it reduces low and high voltage wiring by up to 30%. The unit also packs in several intelligent software controls: charging management, energy management, motion control, and health management.
Real Powertrain For A Real Car
Geely Galaxy TTGeely
The Geely Galaxy TT sports sedan was unveiled last year, comparable in size to the BMW 5 Series and Porsche Taycan. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version will make 329 horsepower, but the Intelligent E-Drive unit can deliver all-wheel drive (AWD) as well. Geely says the AWD version makes 570 hp and can hit 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. While we won’t get the Galaxy TT in the US, if the unit is as good as it sounds, we may get the Intelligent E-Drive system here through Volvo, Polestar, and/or Lotus. That is, if the US Government allows it.
“As electrification accelerates across global automotive markets, electric drive systems are becoming increasingly critical to vehicle efficiency, performance, reliability and customer experience. The Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive strengthens Geely Auto Group’s in-house capabilities in electric powertrain development, intelligent control, and advanced manufacturing, supporting our broader strategy of developing safer, smarter and more efficient new energy vehicles for global users.”
– Li Chuanhai, Vice President of Geely Auto Group and President of Geely Automobile Research Institute
Lotus and Polestar will likely be most interested, as Geely says the 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive is “engineered to reinforce high-performance electric driving.” For the system, Geely has developed a “54-channel directional cooling technology” with the claim it “can reduce the maximum motor temperature by up to 15°C.” On top of that, active lubrication for the shaft and gear structure is designed to help with thermal stability during demanding use.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-DriveGeely
The proof of the system’s efficiency will come once the cars have been on the road. The key breakthrough here is in weight reduction. For example, an aluminum-based four-cylinder engine typically weighs somewhere between 250 and 350 pounds, an aluminum V6 between 350 and 450 pounds. If this comes in at 165.3 pounds and is reasonably powerful and efficient, that goes some way toward addressing the issue of all-electric vehicles being heavy. The key to EV weight is batteries, but everything helps.
Weight doesn’t only affect a vehicle’s range and performance; heavy vehicles also cause more damage in accidents and wear and tear on roads. That becomes particularly relevant when considering trucks and SUVs in the US, in addition to commercial haulage vehicles. Optimistically, a system like this, mixed with the still promised solid-state battery technology, could get EVs into the same weight class as comparable-sized internal combustion engine cars.
Sources: Reuters / Motor1
