Why are EV's listed as 'automatic'
Discussion
Obvious answer... because the system on every car database around the world requires a car to be listed as either manual or auto, for legacy reasons.
But it's been ten years+ now, shouldn't this be changed by now?
I ask partly because I was just asked by my insurance co if the car was an automatic (automatic what exactly
) but also because I sometimes get asked if my electric car is automatic/has gears. I think referring to EV's as 'automatic' probably confuses a fair few laymen as to how an electric drivetrain works, what the benefits are of NO gears to shift, auto or otherwise.
(owner of Rivians and Taycans need not reply, I am aware your cars actually do have 'auto' boxes of a sort)
But it's been ten years+ now, shouldn't this be changed by now?
I ask partly because I was just asked by my insurance co if the car was an automatic (automatic what exactly
) but also because I sometimes get asked if my electric car is automatic/has gears. I think referring to EV's as 'automatic' probably confuses a fair few laymen as to how an electric drivetrain works, what the benefits are of NO gears to shift, auto or otherwise.(owner of Rivians and Taycans need not reply, I am aware your cars actually do have 'auto' boxes of a sort)
Dave. said:
"Does it have a clutch pedal" would be a better question.
It's for those who only have automatic driving licences I believe.
IE, they can drive EVs as they only have 2 pedals like an automatic.
Specifically from a license pov, determining if the car has a clutch for manual gear shifting makes some sense.It's for those who only have automatic driving licences I believe.
IE, they can drive EVs as they only have 2 pedals like an automatic.
But in all other ways it seems like it's just a lazy legacy term that needs updating. Or at least a more accurate "N/A" listing.
Especially when it's typically listed as "Transmission: Automatic", which is just plain incorrect. There's nothing to automate.
Does it matter?
For intents and purposes, you put it in D and you press the accelerator. End of. That experience is no different when compared to a DCT or Torque Converter automatic. Yes they have more gears but ultimately its "D" and go. So they should be listed as Auto for simplicity sake.
For intents and purposes, you put it in D and you press the accelerator. End of. That experience is no different when compared to a DCT or Torque Converter automatic. Yes they have more gears but ultimately its "D" and go. So they should be listed as Auto for simplicity sake.
As has been said the legal distinction is the existence of a manually operated clutch (it doesn't have to be via a pedal, a hand-clutch also counts as a manual). I guess the term "automatic" is used because at the time it was coined, there was really no realistic option to not have switchable gears at all but it really means "not manual".
There have been all sorts of weird things categories as "automatic gearboxes" over the years, including a few H-pattern manuals which happened to have an automated clutch.
There have been all sorts of weird things categories as "automatic gearboxes" over the years, including a few H-pattern manuals which happened to have an automated clutch.
croyde said:
As an aside.....
Why then do Taycans have gears? Is it something additional to make them feel like a manual.
Bit like the big speaker under the electric Abarth
A motor will still have an effective rev range so having gears can give a torque multiplier or sit within the ideal rev range for the motor - that could be for economy or performance.Why then do Taycans have gears? Is it something additional to make them feel like a manual.
Bit like the big speaker under the electric Abarth
My Twizy has a reduction gearbox as the motor revs high but has low torque (for an ev)
croyde said:
As an aside.....
Why then do Taycans have gears? Is it something additional to make them feel like a manual.
Bit like the big speaker under the electric Abarth
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing bothWhy then do Taycans have gears? Is it something additional to make them feel like a manual.
Bit like the big speaker under the electric Abarth
SteBrown91 said:
croyde said:
As an aside.....
Why then do Taycans have gears? Is it something additional to make them feel like a manual.
Bit like the big speaker under the electric Abarth
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing bothWhy then do Taycans have gears? Is it something additional to make them feel like a manual.
Bit like the big speaker under the electric Abarth
But there's always a limit. Not just a limit of the range the motor is efficient at, but also it's maximum design RPM. Although people are looking at digital motors for cars now, could offer 40,000rpm and remove any requirement for multi speed car gearboxes.
SteBrown91 said:
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing both
This is why the Taycan has both 
Caddyshack said:
...
My Twizy has a reduction gearbox as the motor revs high but has low torque (for an ev)
What model have you got and how do you find it?My Twizy has a reduction gearbox as the motor revs high but has low torque (for an ev)
I've always been intrigued by these and quite fancy one (with the top speed limiter moved).
Murph7355 said:
SteBrown91 said:
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing both
This is why the Taycan has both Caddyshack said:
...
My Twizy has a reduction gearbox as the motor revs high but has low torque (for an ev)
What model have you got and how do you find it?My Twizy has a reduction gearbox as the motor revs high but has low torque (for an ev)
I've always been intrigued by these and quite fancy one (with the top speed limiter moved).
It is a great fun car, you can drive it like you are on a track day the whole time but stay within the law.
SteBrown91 said:
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing both
The only reason the Taycan has 2 gears is because they were unable to match Tesla's engineering in terms of performance. Once they do, it'll be gone.autumnsum said:
SteBrown91 said:
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing both
The only reason the Taycan has 2 gears is because they were unable to match Tesla's engineering in terms of performance. Once they do, it'll be gone.SWoll said:
autumnsum said:
SteBrown91 said:
Taycan only has 2 gears (and think that’s only the higher performance cars) - think it’s to combine the sharp acceleration and top speed as generally electric motors aren’t great at doing both
The only reason the Taycan has 2 gears is because they were unable to match Tesla's engineering in terms of performance. Once they do, it'll be gone.I can imagine that we might actually see a time where a motor is matched to a gearbox with maybe 4 or more gears. It depends what motor technology develops.
The e bike world uses small motors run through the normal bike gears to great effect. I guess this means a smaller and lighter motor or maybe smaller batteries.
TheDeuce said:
Dave. said:
"Does it have a clutch pedal" would be a better question.
It's for those who only have automatic driving licences I believe.
IE, they can drive EVs as they only have 2 pedals like an automatic.
Specifically from a license pov, determining if the car has a clutch for manual gear shifting makes some sense.It's for those who only have automatic driving licences I believe.
IE, they can drive EVs as they only have 2 pedals like an automatic.
But in all other ways it seems like it's just a lazy legacy term that needs updating. Or at least a more accurate "N/A" listing.
Especially when it's typically listed as "Transmission: Automatic", which is just plain incorrect. There's nothing to automate.
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