Suzuki to develop two-speed transmission for use in EVs

Suzuki Motor Corporation will be developing a two-speed transmission intended for use on a future electric vehicle (EV). 

The automaker will base its EV transmission on the Ingear system by Canada-based Inmotive

In a statement, the Japanese automaker said that it has signed a joint development agreement with Canada-based Inmotive, Inc. for the venture. The EV will reportedly use Inmotive’s Ingear two-speed transmission suited for both city and highway driving. Inmotive claims that the transmission exhibits the same mechanical efficiency as its single-speed counterpart. 

“This partnership with Suzuki exemplifies the value that the Ingear two-speed transmission can bring to electric vehicles, including cost, range, performance, and efficiency improvements,” said Inmotive CEO Paul Bottero. 

“Jointly developing our technology for a future Suzuki vehicle is a big step toward commercialization and realizing inmotive’s vision of accelerating the global evolution to affordable zero-emission mobility.”  

An as-yet unnamed Suzuki EV could be the recipient of the new transmission 

EVs typically use electric motors that only have a single speed, with two helical reduction gears between the motor and the drive wheels. The Ingear system replaces the second reduction gear with a continuous chain drive and innovative morphing sprocket that can change size during shifting, which happens during a single revolution of the wheels.

Combined with a chain and tensioner, Ingear is capable of providing a gear ratio of 2:1. The extremely efficient chain is kept in line with the morphing sprocket. The EV is delivered from a full stop to just short of highway speeds using low gear, while high gear is used for more spirited driving.    

Toyota and Lexus are taking it a step further with manual transmissions for EVs 

This enables more of the battery’s power to be used in propulsion instead of bleeding away as heat, resulting in less waste and more distances covered with each charge. 

Suzuki expressed confidence that the proposed transmission will be able to extend the range on a typical EV through the efficient use of motor torque. Currently, the Ingear is considered the world’s most efficient two-speed EV transmission, improving both EV range and acceleration by 15 percent.  

Another benefit seen is lowered costs, as the transmission allows electric powertrain units to be reduced in size, apart from improving driving performance in a range of scenarios. 

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