Comparative study of the Tesla Model S and Audi e-Tron Induction Motors
Robin Thomas, Hugo Husson, Lauric Garbuio, Laurent Gerbaud
Abstract
Tesla and Audi are two of the most iconic representative of the premium electric vehicles on the market. For their flagship vehicles, the Tesla Model S/X and the Audi e-Tron, the two manufacturers made the same choice to use squirrel cage induction machines. Thus, the paper presents a retro-engineering study of these two motors in order to compare the design strategies made by Tesla and Audi. This comparison is based on two main aspects. The technical design of the two induction motors are firstly compared. Then, the two motors output performances are computed. This study is based on the simulation results of the 2D finite element models of the each machine. Finally, an analysis of the different strategies deployed by the two manufacturers, between technological innovation and cost reduction, is proposed.