Stellantis, Rivian, and Ford are innovating in solutions to address one of the major problems of EVs

Flat-towing, or flat towing, of electric vehicles (EV) presents technical challenges that make it more complicated compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.

ChatGPT DOWNLOAD

While in combustion vehicles the transmissions can be put in neutral or the axles can be disengaged to allow the wheels to spin freely, in EVs this is not so simple.

The mechanics of electric motors and their integration with propulsion systems complicates the process.

This is how they want to solve the decoupling problem

In light of this situation, several companies are working on innovative solutions. Stellantis, for example, has proposed a solution for vehicles with permanent magnet motors.

In a patent filed in July 2023 and published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the company suggests the use of a high-voltage bus that induces a weakening of the magnetic field in the motors, allowing the wheels to turn without damaging the system, while being isolated from the battery.

For its part, Rivian has presented an alternative that involves using software to disconnect the motors during towing, while Ford has gone a step further by suggesting that electric vehicles could charge their batteries while being towed.

This functionality could even allow EVs to assist the vehicle that tows them on inclines, similar to what some startup trailers like Pebble and Lightship have implemented.

Although flat-towing is not a primary concern for all EV buyers, it is quite popular among recreational vehicle (RV) owners. Additionally, these innovations could make it easier to recover stuck electric vehicles, reducing the need for flatbed tow trucks.

ChatGPT DOWNLOAD

If these patents are applied in production vehicles, they could have a significant impact on electric mobility and the convenience of its use.