Electromechanical Evaluation and Performance Metrics of Next Generation EV Motors: A Comparative Study on Traction Technologies
Abstract
Driven by the compulsory global imperative to curb carbon emissions and address the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, the automotive world is currently navigating a major transition toward electrified propulsion. In this new era, the real-world performance of a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) is no longer just about the battery; it is defined by the complex electromechanical interplay between energy storage and the specific behaviour of its traction motor. Through a comprehensive review of contemporary literature, this research offers an in-depth electromechanical assessment and a side-by-side comparison of the core motor topologies dominating today’s market: AC Induction Motors (ACIM), Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM), Brushed and Brushless DC (BLDC) units, Switched Reluctance Motors (SRM), and the emerging Axial Flux architectures. Rather than just listing features, this study interrogates each design through the lens of critical metrics, including power-to-weight ratios, thermal endurance, and the hard realities of manufacturing costs. While PMSMs remain the industry's "gold standard" for high-end efficiency, our analysis uncovers a strategic move toward magnet-free alternatives, specifically SRMs and ACIMs, as manufacturers seek to escape the volatile supply chains of rare-earth elements. Moving beyond the physical hardware, this study investigates how advanced control architectures, namely Field-Oriented Control (FOC) and Model Predictive Control (MPC), serve as the cognitive center of the powertrain to enhance transient performance and optimize energy recuperation. By merging structural insights with operational realities, this work provides a practical roadmap for identifying the right traction solutions to meet the diverse demands of future e-mobility.
References
References
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S., & Ebrahimi, K. (2018). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (3. bs.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429504884
Chau, K. T. (2015). Electric vehicle machines and drives: Design, analysis and application. John Wiley & Sons. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118752555
Zhu, Z. Q., & Howe, D. (2007). Electrical machines and drives for electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles. Proceedings of the IEEE, 95(4), 746-765. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2006.892482
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S., & Ebrahimi, K. (2018). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (3. bs.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429504884
Park, C.-B., & Jeong, G. (2017). Design and analysis of magnetic-geared permanent magnet synchronous motor for driving electric vehicles. In 2017 20th International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS) (pp. 1-5). Sydney, Australia. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2017.8056127
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S., & Ebrahimi, K. (2018). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (3. bs.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429504884
Un-Noor, F., Padmanaban, S., Mihet-Popa, L., Mollah, M. N., & Hossain, E. (2017). A comprehensive study of key electric vehicle (EV) components, technologies, challenges, impacts, and future direction of development. Energies, 10(8), 1217. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10081217
Cai, W., Wu, X., Zhou, M., Liang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Review and development of electric motor systems and electric powertrains for new energy vehicles. Automotive Innovation, 4(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42154-021-00139-z
Özçiflikçi, O. E., Koç, M., Bahçeci, S., & Emiroğlu, S. (2023). Overview of PMSM control strategies in electric vehicles: A review. International Journal of Dynamic Control, 984-994. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40435-023-01314-2
Liao, G., Zhang, W., & Cai, C. (2021). Research on a PMSM control strategy for electric vehicles. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 13(12). 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/16878140211051462
Park, C.-B., & Jeong, G. (2017). Design and analysis of magnetic-geared permanent magnet synchronous motor for driving electric vehicles. In 2017 20th International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS) (pp. 1-5). Sydney, Australia. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2017.8056127
Zhu, Z. Q., & Howe, D. (2007). Electrical machines and drives for electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles. Proceedings of the IEEE, 95(4), 746-765. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2006.892482
Park, C.-B., & Jeong, G. (2017). Design and analysis of magnetic-geared permanent magnet synchronous motor for driving electric vehicles. In 2017 20th International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS) (pp. 1-5). Sydney, Australia. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2017.8056127
Chau, K. T. (2015). Electric vehicle machines and drives: Design, analysis and application. John Wiley & Sons. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118752555
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S., & Ebrahimi, K. (2018). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (3. bs.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429504884
Yang, Z., Shang, F., Brown, I. P., & Krishnamurthy, M. (2015). Comparative study of interior permanent magnet, induction, and switched reluctance motor drives for EV and HEV applications. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 1(3), 245-254. https://doi.org/10.1109/TTE.2015.2470092
Widmer, J. D., Martin, R., & Kimiabeigi, M. (2015). Electric vehicle traction motors without rare earth magnets. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 3, 7-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2015.02.001
Lucchini, F., Torchio, R., & Bianchi, N. (2024). A Survey on the Sustainability of Traditional and Emerging Materials for Next-Generation EV Motors. Energies, 17(23), 5861. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17235861
Cai, W., Wu, X., Zhou, M., Liang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Review and development of electric motor systems and electric powertrains for new energy vehicles. Automotive Innovation, 4(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42154-021-00139-z
Bose, B. K. (2002). Modern power electronics and AC drives. Prentice Hall. https://www.academia.edu/41701330/MoDERN_PowER_ELECTRONICS_AND_AC_DRIVES
Pellegrino, G., Vagati, A., Boazzo, B., & Guglielmi, P. (2012). Comparison of induction and PM synchronous motor drives for EV application including design examples. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 48(6), 2322-2332. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2012.2227092
Chau, K. T. (2015). Electric vehicle machines and drives: Design, analysis and application. John Wiley & Sons. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118752555
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S., & Ebrahimi, K. (2018). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (3. bs.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429504884
Bose, B. K. (2002). Modern power electronics and AC drives. Prentice Hall. https://www.academia.edu/41701330/MoDERN_PowER_ELECTRONICS_AND_AC_DRIVES
Chau, K. T. (2015). Electric vehicle machines and drives: Design, analysis and application. John Wiley & Sons. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118752555
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S., & Ebrahimi, K. (2018). Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (3. bs.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429504884
Cai, W., Wu, X., Zhou, M., Liang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Review and development of electric motor systems and electric powertrains for new energy vehicles. Automotive Innovation, 4(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42154-021-00139-z
Shahakar, D. A., & Shahakar, Y. D. (2025). Review of traction motors for electric vehicle application. EPJ Web of Conferences, 341, 01019. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202534101019
Shahakar, D. A., & Shahakar, Y. D. (2025). Review of traction motors for electric vehicle application. EPJ Web of Conferences, 341, 01019. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202534101019
Prakash, S., & Boopathy, K. (2024). High speed BLDC motor for grid tied PV based EV system using hybrid PSO-spotted hyena optimized PI controller. International Journal of Applied Power Engineering (IJAPE), 13(3), 768-782. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijape.v13.i3.pp768-782
Tabassum, A. A., Cho, H. M., & Mahmud, M. I. (2024). Essential features and torque minimization techniques for brushless direct current motor controllers in electric vehicles. Energies, 17(18), 4562. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17184562
Chau, K. T. (2015). Electric vehicle machines and drives: Design, analysis and application. John Wiley & Sons. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118752555
Shahakar, D. A., & Shahakar, Y. D. (2025). Review of traction motors for electric vehicle application. EPJ Web of Conferences, 341, 01019. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202534101019
Palanisamy, R., Sahasrabuddhe, R., Hiteshkumar, M. K., & Puranik, J. A. (2021). A new energy regeneration system for a BLDC motor driven electric vehicle. International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE), 11(4), 2986-2993. https://ijece.iaescore.com/index.php/IJECE/article/view/23670
Shahakar, D. A., & Shahakar, Y. D. (2025). Review of traction motors for electric vehicle application. EPJ Web of Conferences, 341, 01019. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202534101019
Cai, W., Wu, X., Zhou, M., Liang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Review and development of electric motor systems and electric powertrains for new energy vehicles. Automotive Innovation, 4(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42154-021-00139-z
Yang, Z., Shang, F., Brown, I. P., & Krishnamurthy, M. (2015). Comparative study of interior permanent magnet, induction, and switched reluctance motor drives for EV and HEV applications. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 1(3), 245-254. https://doi.org/10.1109/TTE.2015.2470092
Krishnan, R. (2001). Switched reluctance motor drives: Modeling, simulation, analysis, design, and applications. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420041644
Miller, T. J. E. (2001). Electronic control of switched reluctance machines. Newnes.
Bostanci, E., Moallem, M., Parsapour, L., & Fahimi, B. (2017). Opportunities and challenges of switched reluctance motor drives for electric vehicle applications: A review. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 64(10), 8189-8198. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7809178
Hao, Z., Ma, Y., Wang, P., Luo, G., & Chen, Y. (2022). A review of axial-flux permanent-magnet motors: Topological structures, design, optimization and control techniques. Machines, 10(12), 1178. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines10121178
PsPowers. (2025). Axial flux vs in-wheel motors: Which is better for EV? https://pspowers.com/axial-flux-vs-in-wheel-motors-which-is-better-for-ev/
Cai, W., Wu, X., Zhou, M., Liang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Review and development of electric motor systems and electric powertrains for new energy vehicles. Automotive Innovation, 4(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42154-021-00139-z
Brogen EV Solution. (2024, February 27). Axial flux motor for electric vehicles: A comprehensive overview. https://brogenevsolution.com/axial-flux-motor-for-electric-vehicles-brief-explanation/
Cai, W., Wu, X., Zhou, M., Liang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). Review and development of electric motor systems and electric powertrains for new energy vehicles. Automotive Innovation, 4(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42154-021-00139-z
Hao, Z., Ma, Y., Wang, P., Luo, G., & Chen, Y. (2022). A review of axial-flux permanent-magnet motors: Topological structures, design, optimization and control techniques. Machines, 10(12), 1178. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines10121178
Brogen EV Solution. (2024, February 27). Axial flux motor for electric vehicles: A comprehensive overview. https://brogenevsolution.com/axial-flux-motor-for-electric-vehicles-brief-explanation/
PsPowers. (2025). Axial flux vs in-wheel motors: Which is better for EV? https://pspowers.com/axial-flux-vs-in-wheel-motors-which-is-better-for-ev/
Shahakar, D. A., & Shahakar, Y. D. (2025). Review of traction motors for electric vehicle application. EPJ Web of Conferences, 341, 01019. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202534101019
Future Market Insights. (t.y.). Switched reluctance motors market outlook (2025 to 2035). https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/switched-reluctance-motors-market
Darwish, A., Elgenedy, M. A., & Williams, B. W. (2024). A review of modular electrical sub-systems of electric vehicles. Energies, 17(14), 3474. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17143474
KPMG. (2025). Securing the supply chain: Preparing for the electric vehicle raw material challenge. https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmgsites/in/pdf/2025/12/securing-the-supply-chain-preparing-for-the-electric-vehicle-raw-material-challenge.pdf
