Do Teslas Have Engines? Mechanic Base

Tesla is one the most famous electric vehicles, and it has been around since 2003. Have you ever thought about how Tesla works? What engines do Teslas use? What is the configuration of this electric car?

We will be looking at which type of engine Teslas use in this guide. The review also covers whether Teslas include a common transmission. The AC motor's benefits are also discussed. 

Do Teslas Have Engines?

Tesla vehicles don’t contain traditional internal combustion engines. The electric motors used in the production of Tesla vehicles use rechargeable batteries. The rear-wheel drive models feature an electric motor that sits above the rear axle. All-wheel-drive vehicles have a motor between the front and rear wheels. 

It is necessary to plug your Tesla into a suitable connector in order for it to be charged. It will take a different model of Tesla and a different type charger to fully charge it. 

While the Tesla looks like an average car, it’s not built anything like what you are used to. Instead, there’s an entirely different configuration found in these electric cars.

RELATED: How long does it take to charge a Tesla? (120v, 240v & 480v)

The Tesla Engine is missing from where?

If you’ve ever looked under the hood of a Tesla, you know that there’s no engine underneath. Additionally, you aren’t going to hear the traditional sounds of a combustion engine. With a gas- or diesel-powered motor, you hear plenty of noise and you know there’s an engine running, but that’s not the case with Tesla EVs.

Under the hood of the Tesla, you find additional cargo space because there’s no engine to make room for. While the Tesla car won’t have a gas-powered engine, it is powered by an electric motor or multiple that are powered by rechargeable batteries. 

There is a motor located on each axle that’s being powered. A rear-wheel-drive Tesla has a motor that sits on its rear axle. This allows it to be powered. The motor is located on the front axle of all front-wheel-drive vehicles. To power the entire vehicle, all-wheel-drive Teslas have a motor mounted on each axle. 

Are Teslas equipped with transmissions?

Tesla EVs don’t contain a traditional transmission. Instead, an electric motor receives input from your hand to turn the wheels. The design allows for instantaneous torque sent directly to the car’s wheels. 

The electric motors aren’t waiting for the normal combustion process to occur, which would turn the transmission. The transmission will be turned once the driveshaft is activated. This would then translate to power for the wheels. 

The Tesla EV's acceleration is instantaneous when the pedal is pressed. Like many models, the Tesla EV uses a single-speed auto transmission. This is necessary to transfer the power from the electric motor to the wheels.

Tesla's electric motor can accelerate faster than many cars, even without the use of a gas engine. That’s due in part to the electric motor configuration. Even though the Tesla Models' top speed may not be as fast, they will get you off the line quicker than a gas-powered car. This is due to the combination of the simple transmission and the electric motor, which gives you instant torque. 

What’s interesting about the Tesla electric motors is that they are AC motors instead of DC. AC is for alternating current, whereas DC stands for direct current. Why does Tesla prefer AC motors to the DC? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits. 

Are there any benefits to an AC Motor

1. Increased torque

We’ve already discussed how much instant torque you can receive from a Tesla. But you may not be aware of how much torque it generates. 

You can achieve higher torque ratings with an AC motor than an engine of a similar size. You can accelerate faster and move forward much quicker than an average gasoline-powered car. 

2. More efficiency

An electric car is a vehicle that you can think about ways to increase its efficiency. If your ride is consuming too much range, it will leave you looking for a charge and needing to take a rest sooner than planned.

That’s why it’s great that Tesla uses AC motors. They are also more economical, which allows you to travel farther. Additionally, AC motors produce steady power levels that improve stability while traveling at higher speeds. 

3. Compact Size

You will be able to find a smaller AC motor than the DC motor, but the size is far less. An AC motor can significantly reduce the Tesla's weight.

With the weight lower, there’s less strain on the efficiency too. It's also easier to position the motor in a smaller space, which can be a plus. 

Tesla vs. Hybrids

The Tesla EV is often confused with a hybrid car. However, they are different. The hybrid has a gas-powered engine, while Tesla cars don't have any. Although the hybrid is compatible with other models, it only gives a limited amount of range that can offset the motor's gas-powered counterpart.

RELATED: Hybrid Vs. Electric Vs. Plug-in – Differences (& Which is better?)

You won’t be able to drive hundreds of miles on battery power with a hybrid, mainly because there’s not enough space to add all of the necessary equipment with the standard motor and transmission in place. This hybrid, which is electric-only, can be used to drive shorter distances. It's a fantastic option for driving around urban areas. 

Hybrid models are also available in many formats. You can choose a model that doesn’t get plugged in or one that does. Hybrids are more common than electric vehicles, but that trend will shift as more carmakers make investments in EV technology.