The name of the game for infernal combustion engines is to waste as much gasoline or diesel fuel as possible. In fact, observers like Bill McKibben note that, when everything is considered from well head to refinery to the pump to engine efficiency, only about 15 percent of the energy that comes out of the ground actually goes to moving our cars and trucks forward. The rest is wasted. Yes, we know that is nuts, but it’s the system we have. You would think a great nation aiming for energy dominance would want to improve the efficiency of the system to squeeze more energy out of every precious drop of fuel, but you would be wrong. The so-called president of that nation is determined to find new, more creative ways to make cars and trucks even less efficient, and his supporters are cheering him on because wasting energy means winning — apparently. We have been saying for years that electric cars and trucks would get more efficient over time, and not just because of improved aerodynamics. Just as the internal combustion engine acquired overhead camshafts, electronic fuel injection, and turbochargers, so too the march of progress will benefit EV powertrains. Geely Intelligent E-Drive This week, Geely announced a new EV powertrain that integrates 16 components into one compact drive unit that is so efficient — 93.8 percent to be precise — that it has established two new Guinness World Records. The Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive, 800 volt electric drive system will debut on the Geely TT, and represents a further step in Geely’s development of more efficient, intelligent, and scalable electric drive systems. Developed in cooperation with InfiMotion, Geely’s core ecosystem partner, the Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive, is designed to improve energy efficiency, power delivery, thermal stability, durability, and intelligent vehicle control while supporting more compact packaging for future electric vehicles. It integrates key electric drive components into a compact system architecture. The entire drives system weighs a mere 75 kilograms — that’s 165 pounds for those of you in the US who still measure things in bushels and pecks. The complete system simplifies the power transmission path and reduces energy losses during power delivery. The system also applies intelligent power optimization technology that allows the system to achieve a 93.8 percent comprehensive efficiency as measured by the CLTC standard. In an energy efficiency challenge around Qinghai Lake — one of our favorite things to do here at CleanTechnica world headquarters — a Geely TT equipped with the 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive recorded a measured energy consumption of 8.20 kWh/100 km, breaking the Guinness World Record for the lowest energy consumption circumnavigation of Qinghai Lake by a battery electric powered production sedan. Hey, in a world of one-upmanship, you take credit for victories where you find them. Focus On High Performance Driving Beyond efficiency, the Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive is engineered to reinforce high-performance electric driving. It supports a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration with a combined output of 425 kW (570 horsepower), enabling a vehicle like the Geely TT to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The system also adopts integrated control and AI-assisted torque management to support faster response, more precise torque delivery, and stable performance under high-load conditions. To make sustained high performance possible, Geely has developed 54 channel directional cooling technology, which can reduce the maximum motor temperature by up to 15°C. The drive system also uses active lubrication for the shaft and gear structure to help maintain thermal stability during demanding use and is engineered to make 5 million kilometer durability possible. It was developed using a validation process that covered all components, the electric drive assembly, and the complete vehicle. In a separate performance challenge, the Geely TT achieved a continuous twin vehicle drift distance over 46 kilometers on a wet surface, supporting the Guinness World Records title for the longest continuous twin vehicle drift on a wet surface by electric vehicles. Be still, our beating hearts! The challenge placed sustained demands on torque response, control precision, and thermal management, providing a high-load demonstration of the electric drive system’s performance consistency. Li Chuanhai, vice president of Geely Auto Group and president of Geely Automobile Research Institute, told the press: “As electrification accelerates across global automotive markets, electric drive systems are becoming increasingly critical to vehicle efficiency, performance, reliability and customer experience. The Geely 16-in-1 Intelligent E-Drive strengthens Geely Auto Group’s in-house capabilities in electric powertrain development, intelligent control and advanced manufacturing, supporting our broader strategy of developing safer, smarter and more efficient new energy vehicles for global users.” Eyes On Europe Electrive adds that Geely is following an industry trend towards highly integrated electric drive units. By combining functions that were previously handled by separate components, manufacturers are reducing weight, saving installation space, and simplifying the production processes while increasing overall efficiency. The unveiling of the new drive system comes as Geely expands its presence in Europe. The manufacturer recently launched its core brand in Germany, introducing the battery electric Geely E5 SUV and the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid as its first models. At the same time, the company is growing its sales and service network — and perhaps its manufacturing base as well. Geely expects the new electric drive system to improve the efficiency of future vehicle generations and to strengthen the brand’s competitiveness in the European market. But not in the US, where diehard MAGA fans would rather eat nails than drive a Chinese-made car that costs thousands less than anything else in the market. Energy dominance isn’t easy, but somebody has to do it — preferably people who have their testosterone levels checked every time they fill up with dino juice.
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