Electric Motors in Modern EVs: The Revolutionary Tech Powering the 2026 Mobility Shift
If you’ve been following the EV space even casually, you already know that batteries get most of the spotlight. But here’s the truth: the Electric motor is just as critical—if not more—when it comes to how an EV feels, performs, and ultimately wins over buyers.
In this post, we’ll dive into the real engineering trends in reshaping electric motors.
1. The Electric Motor Landscape Is More Diverse Than You Think
The EV industry may look like a PMSM‑dominated world today, but the motor mix is far more nuanced.
Permanent‑Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM/IPMSM)
These electric motors are front‑runners for one main reason: efficiency. Open-access reviews show PMSM consistently outperform induction motors in both peak and part‑load operation, a major advantage when every kilometer of range matters.
Induction Motors (IM)
Induction electric motors may not match PMSMs on efficiency, but they are rugged, magnet‑free, cost‑friendly, and avoid rare‑earth supply risks—something very relevant in today’s geopolitical climate. They remain a practical choice for fleets and commercial segments.
SRM and BLDC
- SRM wins on simplicity and thermal tolerance but needs careful NVH tuning.
- BLDC electric motors remain king in 2‑wheelers and 3‑wheelers because they’re low-cost, easy to manufacture, and ideal for low-voltage systems.
The bottom line: there’s no single “best” motor—only the right motor for the right job.
2. How Different Vehicle Segments Choose Their Electric Motors
Electric Motor selection isn’t just engineering—it’s economics and user behavior.
Two-Wheelers: Cost First, Efficiency Later
India’s booming 2W segment crossed one million EV units in FY24–25, and the majority used BLDC electric motors because of low cost and simple controllers. Premium scooters now increasingly adopt PMSM for smoother acceleration and higher efficiency.
Three-Wheelers: Efficiency Meets Affordability
3Ws are the backbone of urban mobility in many Asian markets. BLDC dominates here too, but PMSM is creeping in for cargo and performance-oriented models demanding better torque and thermal stability.
Passenger Cars: PMSM Leads the Charge
Cars are where PMSM/IPMSM shine, especially paired with SiC inverters on 400–800 V platforms. Their blend of torque density, responsiveness, and efficiency makes them the default choice for most automakers today.
Heavy Commercial Vehicles: Continuous Torque Is King
Buses and trucks demand electric motors that can sustain high loads for long durations. PMSM still holds the efficiency crown, but induction motors maintain relevance where durability and cost take priority.
Global EV Growth Is Reinforcing These Trends
Global EV demand is surging, with emerging Asian markets registering ~400,000 EVs in 2024 and India selling over 2 million EVs in FY2025. Europe reached a 15.6% EV share in 2025, while Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia posted rapid year‑on‑year growth.
3. Axial‑Flux Motors: The Hottest Topic in EV Tech Right Now
If there’s one motor architecture generating excitement, it’s the axial‑flux PM motor (AFPM). And it’s not hype—research sources back it.
Why It’s Gaining Traction
- Much higher torque density than radial-flux machines
- Slim, pancake‑style packaging ideal for e‑axles
- Improved cooling thanks to large surface area
These qualities make AFPM motors especially attractive for:
- High‑performance EVs
- Low-floor buses
- Compact skateboard EV platforms
Still Some Hurdles
Manufacturability, tight air-gap tolerances, and axial loads are real engineering challenges. But advanced modeling and prototype data already show double‑digit torque-density improvements compared to conventional designs.
Simply put: AFPM is no longer “emerging”—it’s arriving.
4. Soft Magnetic Composites (SMC): Quietly Changing Motor Design
SMCs are reshaping how engineers design electric motor stators and rotors.
The ongoing research work highlights three big advantages:
- 3D magnetic flux capability that laminated steel can’t achieve
- Extremely high resistivity, meaning reduced eddy-current losses
- Freedom to mold complex shapes, ideal for compact or unconventional motors
SMCs especially benefit:
- Axial‑flux motors
- Transverse-flux machines
- In‑wheel motors
Powder metallurgy production also means faster prototyping and less waste. This is one of those “materials innovations” that will quietly accelerate EV motor performance over the next decade.
5. SiC + 800V: The Power Electronics Shift That Changes Everything
If motors are the muscles, the inverter is the brain stem—and SiC MOSFETs are changing its capability.
Why EVs Are Moving Toward 800V Systems
- Faster DC fast‑charging
- Lower current → lower I²R losses
- Thinner, lighter cables
- Better overall drivetrain efficiency
How SiC Makes the Difference
SiC inverters deliver:
- 5–10% higher energy conversion efficiency
- Up to 40% thermal loss reduction
- Smaller cooling systems
Real-world data from supplier validation even shows >300 kW peak power from SiC based 800V inverter platforms.
And for engineers looking beyond 800V?
Early research shows multilevel topologies (T-Type, ANPC) dramatically improve switching losses and EMI performance.
6. The Rare-Earth Reality: PMSM vs. Induction vs. SRM
PMSM delivers the best efficiency, but relies on NdFeB magnets, leaving OEMs exposed to supply volatility.
Here’s how brands hedge their bets:
- Cars: PMSM/IPMSM for primary drive; induction motors sometimes used for secondary axles.
- 2W/3W: BLDC as the cost anchor; PMSM growing where range and refinement matter.
- Commercial vehicles: PMSM for energy efficiency; induction motors where cost and reliability dominate.
Materials innovation (SMC cores, advanced winding designs, SiC inverters) keeps shifting the cost-performance balance. Meanwhile, global demand—validated by IEA reports—keeps pushing every segment toward higher efficiency.
7. What This Means for EV Engineers, Product Teams & Enthusiasts
Here’s the distilled guidance heading into 2026:
✔ Match Motor Topology to Duty Cycle
Urban stop‑go cycles favor BLDC and PMSM.
Highway‑centric passenger EVs benefit most from PMSM + SiC + 800V.
Heavy-duty fleets should evaluate PMSM vs IM based on continuous torque.
✔ Evaluate Axial‑Flux Early If Space Is Tight
Ideal for performance EVs, buses, and skateboard platforms.
✔ Use SMC Where 3D Flux Boosts Performance
Especially in AFPM, TFM, and in‑wheel designs.
✔ Move Toward SiC + 800V Unless Budget Blocks It
Expect measurable efficiency gains, better cooling, and lighter power distribution.
8. Final Thoughts: We’re Entering the “Integration Era” of EV Motors
From 2026 onward, the real breakthroughs will come not from any single technology, but from tight, intelligent integration:
- Motor
- Power electronics
- Gear reduction
- Cooling system
- Vehicle control software
Axial‑flux geometries, smarter materials like SMC, and SiC‑based 800V platforms will continue shaping the next generation of electric mobility. What’s clear from all the research is that the industry is converging on the same goal:
More power, more efficiency, less weight—and fewer electrons wasted
And with EV markets accelerating across China, Europe, and the U.S., the demand for smarter, lighter, and more efficient electric motors is only going to rise.
