Electric Motor for Rear Axle: How e-AWD is Changing Hybrids

While fully electric cars capture significant attention, hybrid vehicles represent a more accessible entry point into electrification for many consumers. These vehicles eliminate the need for grid charging and allow electric motors to assist in city driving, while retaining conventional travel habits for longer journeys. They offer a user experience similar to gasoline-powered cars but with improved efficiency for daily commutes.

In regions like the Baltics, where driving conditions can vary from city asphalt to unpaved rural roads, all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability remains valuable. Traditional AWD systems, however, add weight, consume more fuel, and take up space. Electrification offers an alternative: a hybrid setup where one axle is powered by the main engine and the other by a dedicated electric motor.

This approach is particularly beneficial as drivers often only require extra traction intermittently. The second-generation Kia Seltos, arriving in Europe, features a hybrid e-AWD version that uses a separate electric motor to drive the rear axle. This allows for dynamic torque distribution based on traction needs, enhancing stability on surfaces like gravel, wet grass, or steep inclines.

Kia states this is the brand's first application of its e-AWD technology. The system's primary goal is not to transform the crossover into an off-road vehicle but to provide better stability in changing grip conditions. This feature sets the Seltos apart from some competitors, such as the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, which is offered only with two-wheel drive.