A number of automakers, huge and small, are engaged on battery-electric pickup vans, however startup firm Lordstown Motors can have one thing that units its Endurance pickup aside from the remainder—in-wheel electrical motors.

Mounting the motors contained in the wheel hub frees up area and gives the potential to extra exactly management how a lot torque is shipped to a wheel. Torque could be added or subtracted by adjusting the present going to the motor, reasonably than utilizing the clutch packs, differentials, or brake purposes usually used to regulate torque cut up.

A number of corporations have developed in-wheel motors, however the know-how has acquired little curiosity from automakers. One impediment is the extra unsprung mass of in-wheel motors, which makes tuning journey and dealing with tougher. The in-wheel motors additionally must be powerful, as they’ll take fairly a pounding on tough surfaces.

A brand new video launched by Lordstown earlier in December units out to display simply how powerful its in-wheel motors are—by operating a naked chassis of the Endurance over some very tough, chilly and moist terrain. Lordstown plans to construct its personal motors utilizing know-how licensed from Slovenia’s Elaphe.

The Endurance makes use of a motor at every wheel to create an all-wheel-drive system and generate a mixed 600 horsepower. That permits a 7,500-pound towing capability, however prime velocity is electronically restricted to 80 mph to assist maximize vary. Lordstown estimates a variety of 250 miles for the truck.

Firm CEO Steve Burns is featured within the video and states that Lordstown is presently testing alpha prototypes. The following stage might be to check extra superior beta prototypes earlier than transferring onto pre-production automobiles and eventually manufacturing automobiles.

Lordstown presently expects to have manufacturing examples of the Endurance rolling out of the corporate’s Lordstown, Ohio, plant within the second half of 2021. Pricing for the Endurance begins at $52,500, and people excited about reserving an early construct slot can place a $1,000 refundable deposit via Lordstown’s web site.

Whereas many within the electrical pickup area plan to focus on life-style consumers, Lordstown is aiming the Endurance at industrial fleets. The corporate claims to have already acquired 1000’s of pre-orders from fleet operators seeking to scale back their emissions.