Is it Worth Making a Manual Electric Car?
Find out all you need to know about the possibility of manual electric cars in this article.
Electric cars may not need a manual gearbox, but will this change in the future? From user experience to control, there are certainly reasons why a manual transmission could be intriguing to some drivers - but is it worth making a manual electric car?
Manual vs. Automatic Transmission
Manual
The transmission - also known as the gearbox - in your car is a metal case which contains several gears. It transfers power from the engine over to the wheels, helping your vehicle to generate enough torque to move when you want it to.
It also works to make sure that the engine doesn’t work too hard when the car is travelling at higher speeds.
A car which uses manual transmission will require that the driver change gears manually, to accelerate or slow down when needed.
The driver will do this by pressing down on the clutch pedal. Though this requires precision so as not to prematurely wear out the clutch or stall the car.
In a manual car, the driver must choose between several gears, depending on what they want the car to do.
Automatic
A car which uses automatic transmission does not need a clutch pedal, or gear shift. The driver only needs to choose between D (Drive), R (Reverse), P (Park) or N (Neutral). They will also need to control the accelerator and brake pedals.
Unlike a manual transmission vehicle, a car which uses automatic transmission can take care of most of these changes automatically.
With sensors that tell the car when to shift gears, an automatic car uses internal oil pressure to make these changes.
The torque converter will disconnect the transmission from the engine so that these gear shifts are able to happen.
Is Automatic Transmission Better Than Manual Transmission?
Cars with a manual transmission generally allow for faster acceleration, as they can efficiently transfer power from the engine over to the wheels.
Another big bonus is the fact that a manual gearbox gives drivers greater control over their vehicle, with drivers being able to choose the exact gear they want.
On the other hand, cars that use automatic transmission are less likely to stall. With no need to switch gears, and no clutch to deal with, an automatic transmission can cut out some of the stress. This makes them easier to handle, and a great choice for new drivers.
It is up to you as a driver to decide what you look for most in a car. If you want the satisfaction of feeling fully in control of your vehicle, then changing gears in a manual car may be right for you.
However, if you want to experience a smoother driving experience, then an automatic car could be the best choice.
How Do Electric Cars Work?
Electric vehicles are automatic, and they do not require an internal combustion engine - something traditional petrol and diesel vehicles need. Electric vehicles do not have a manual gearbox - there is no need to shift gears to accelerate or slow down.
This means that the driver can travel smoothly whilst maintaining one speed, making use of only a single gear.
In conventional cars, the internal combustion engine does not produce the torque needed to start ‘under load’. By contrast, electric vehicles use an electric motor which spins and in turn causes the wheels to spin - this creates maximum torque instantly, at zero revolutions per minute.
However, there is a slight difference between a conventional car that uses an automatic transmission, and an electric vehicle that uses one.
A conventional car that uses automatic transmission will shift to certain gears or speeds depending on the pressure applied to the accelerator or brake pedal.
As electric vehicles tend to have one gear, there is no need for these gear shifts - a driver just needs to decide what they want the car to do, and press D (Drive), R (Reverse) or P (Park) when they want the car to perform a certain action.
This makes for a smooth driving experience, without the ‘hassle’ of manually changing gears.
Will There Ever Be a Manual Electric Car?
All things considered; it is not worth it for manufacturers to mass-produce manual electric cars. Whilst the satisfaction of changing gears may be missing for some, electric vehicles have no need for a manual gearbox and can change speeds with ease.
Electric vehicles can accelerate quickly, and the battery gets topped up via regenerative braking. To make an electric vehicle with a manual transmission would negate several of the most appealing features of the car.
As such, many drivers opt for an electric car specifically because of the appeal of the automatic gearbox making the vehicle easier to drive. By adding a manual gearbox, you would remove one of the biggest selling points for electric vehicles.
Though, of course, the electric vehicle market is still in its infancy. There are bound to be other, interesting developments that make electric vehicles even more appealing to potential customers, which will likely become apparent in the coming years.
Just don’t expect to see manual electric vehicles hitting the roads anytime soon.
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