- Mercedes In-Drive relocates the brakes to inside an EV’s motor housing
- In-Drive stays a friction-based brake system
- In-Drive is in lively testing with no timeline for manufacturing introduced
Future Mercedes-Benz EVs may not have brakes sitting behind their wheels.
Mercedes-Benz engineers in Germany confirmed Motor Authority its newest EV drivetrain innovation referred to as In-Drive. It is a newly developed system that strikes the brakes from behind the wheels to inside an EV’s motor casing. Mercedes is internally calling the system “the brake of the long run.”
Engineers informed MA the In-Drive system is already in lively testing, however stopped wanting confirming manufacturing or a timeline for manufacturing.Â
In-Drive remains to be a friction-based brake system with pads and steel rotors that sluggish the car utilizing stress. However the complete system is sealed, enclosed throughout the EV drive unit’s housing. A rotor and pad bookend the electrical motor throughout the steel housing. To maintain issues cool since there is not any airflow, the system is water cooled, although engineers are nonetheless enjoying with completely different fluids and viscosities because the unit must discharge numerous warmth with no radiator.
Solely about 2% of braking is mechanical for an EV, whereas 98% might be dealt with by regenerative braking, in line with Mercedes’ engineering workforce.
At present’s EQS is able to as much as 290 kw of recuperation via the regenerative braking system, whereas tomorrow’s 2026 CLA-Class EV will likely be able to 200 kw of recuperation.
Stated to be designed for the lifetime of the car, which Mercedes defines as 15 years or 186,400 miles, this kind of system might decrease working prices. The system’s pads last more than immediately’s brake pads as they embody the complete disc and thus have extra floor space.
Mercedes designed the system be capable to mount to the middle of a entrance axle sans electrical motor for single-motor rear-wheel-drive functions. Transferring the braking system to the middle of the car will displace and take away unsprung mass, which in flip will enhance dealing with.
Mercedes stated immediately the system is dearer than conventional brakes, however the objective is to convey the associated fee all the way down to be equal to conventional brakes.
Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to convey you this report
