Does this Concept Indicate Wheels of the Future?

The new SIM-LEI prototype brings an entirely new function to both the front wheel hub and rear wheel hub: powering the vehicle. While I hope that no car ever looks like this, the concept behind this Japanese vehicle is unique and worth taking a look at. Rather than having one motor in the front of the vehicle this electric car has four motors, one in each of the wheels.

We’ve all seen more electric cars around in the past few years as gas prices have crept up and people are becoming more concerned about the environment. What makes this car unique is not only the LEI (Leading Efficiency In-Wheel motor) concept but its performance in speed, power output, and battery life. This prototype can go from 0 to 60 in just 4.8 seconds and each wheel delivers 65 kilowatts of power (260 kilowatts total). Compare that to the Nissan Leaf which only gives a total output of 80 kilowatts. The SIM-LEI can travel about 207 miles on one charge while the Leaf does about 100.  Having the motors located in each of the wheels also provides new possibilities regarding traction and stability control.

I’m not a huge fan of the vehicle’s design, but the in-wheel motors seem to provide more efficiency and I’m interested to see their future in electric vehicles. SIM is expecting to begin production of its four-seat sedan in 2013 which will sell for roughly $32,000 a pop. While I can’t see these guys cruising around the streets of U.S. cities anytime soon, maybe they’re onto something?