Indeed. Converting trucks and SUVs first makes sense from several standpoints. As the article stated, they have more space for power storage and are the worst offenders fuel consumption-wise. On top of that, trucks and SUVs are generally expected to have big, torquey engines so they can easily pull heavy loads... Electric motors are excellent sources of torque, producing peak torque at 0 RPM. Trucks and SUVs are also generally expected to have 4-wheel drive... Drive train losses could be virtually eliminated by putting a direct-drive motor at each hub. The motor-in-hub setup would allow the power applied to each wheel to be adjusted instantaneously, resulting in near perfect traction control. Also, if 4-wheel independent steering were added, the vehicle could turn on a dime... Literally. Unfortunately, a motor-in-hub setup could be too heavy (too much unsprung weight), but you could still use a differential-style motor for each pair of wheels, either integrated into a solid axle, or using a central unit with traditional CV shafts, ala the FCX Clarity:
That drive unit puts out 134 hp and 189 ft/lbs of torque by the way.
Linear Mode
