Why does tesla use an AC motor?

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Cost and scalability. In recent years induction motors have become more efficient, with better controls. Permanent magnets are smaller and lighter, but use rare earth metals that have become more expensive and, importantly, harder to source.

 

[qwk]

Permanent magnets are smaller and lighter, but use rare earth metals that have become more expensive and, importantly, harder to source.

A DC motor is much heavier and usually bulkier if you compare similar kw motors.

 

[TEG]

Basically all of the production EVs use AC motors, and most of the "home brew" conversion vehicles use DC motors.

AC motors are generally better for automotive drive applications, but tend to require larger teams to engineer a suitable controller.

Tesla basically has created the "best" solution and most everyone else wishes theirs was as good.

Tesla wisely did the extra engineering so they could use induction motors that don't require rare-earth minerals in permanent magnets.
The Nissan LEAF (for instance) has a permanent magnet AC motor which was easier to engineer, but ends up causing them to be part of a problem of using up those limited resources of materials needed to make those expensive permanent magnets.

 

[brianman]

I was thinking it was more like thread regen.

/facepalm

 

[William13]

Tesla did "invent" 60 hertz AC current that is used in the USA. He did not invent AC current. This with three phase current which he also "invented" is world wide.

 

[islandbayy]

Lets put it this way.

My Alfa Romeo 164 EV Conversion, has a 90kW DC motor. That 90kW motor is 203 Lbs, and is physically twice the size of the Model S 3phase AC Induction Motor, which is 320??kW. It's even bigger then the Performance + motor.

 

[doctorwho]

Thanks for your replies, it clarifies the AC motor choice for me:smile:

 

[VolkerP]

Guess y'all didn't see that same blog in Post #7...

Thanks, I was about to add it a third time. With AC motors you can avoid using rare earth minerals which are subject to price speculation on the - hm - supply side.