Engines are powerhouses.
For over 100 years, internal combustion engines have been used to propel gasoline and diesel-based cars. Not anymore. With the exponential rise in the popularity of electric vehicles, the idea of a conventional engine is changing.
Since Tesla is a leader in the EV industry, people are particularly curious about their mode of power. Does Tesla have an engine? If not, how does a Tesla run without an engine?
Let’s find out answers to the 7 most frequently asked questions about Tesla engines.
1. Do Teslas Have Engines? Where is it Located?
Yes, contrary to popular belief, Teslas do have an engine. Engine, by definition, is any machine that converts energy into usable mechanical work.
Tesla, being an EV, uses electric motors to propel itself. The electric motors draw electrical power stored in the batteries and convert them to the useable mechanical energy.
So, the motor(s) act as an engine in the Tesla. People are more used to calling EV propulsion systems motors. However, it doesn’t mean EVs don’t have an engine.
There are many types of engines. However, internal combustion engines have been the most popular in the automotive sector for over 100 years.
The internal combustion engines are usually located under the front hood of your car. Some cars had an engine in the rear, but that is highly unusual.
The engine of a Tesla is located on the front and/or rear axles of the vehicle, depending upon the model and variant. It directly feeds power to the axles from here.
2. How Does a Tesla Run Without an Engine?
Tesla doesn’t have an internal combustion engine. But they do have electric engines, otherwise known as motors. The working of these motors is pretty much the same as any ICE.
Just for reference, you pour gas into an internal combustion engine. It burns gas via spark ignition, causing a strong expansion wave through the piston and cylinder arrangement.
The to-and-fro motion of the piston is converted into the rotary motion of the engine. This motion is then transmitted onto the wheels through the transmission system.
The working mechanism of a Tesla follows the exact same lines. You fill up the lithium-ion batteries by plugging them into the electric outlet.
Once the batteries are charged, the electric motor draws the power from the batteries. The electric charge creates a powerful electromagnetic field inside the motor, causing it to turn.
This is how the electrical energy stored in a battery is converted into usable mechanical energy. Also, this is how Tesla works without an engine.
3. What Kind of Motor Does a Tesla Have?
Two types of motors are primarily used in Tesla cars. Both these are sub-types of AC motors. Let’s discuss the working of these motors.
Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motors
A permanent magnet synchronous AC motor (PMSM) is the most commonly used electric motor across all models of Tesla. The working of AC PMSM is quite simple.
Permanent magnet synchronous AC motors use permanent magnets for field excitation. The permanent magnets are embedded inside the rotor, whereas the AC power is supplied to the windings on the stator. As a result, a rotating magnetic field is generated.
Permanent magnet motors are quite efficient at low speeds. They offer higher efficiency and, in turn, a longer range and better performance than all other types of electric motors.
Induction AC Motors
Tesla frequently employs induction AC motors, which differ from traditional motors by using induced current rather than direct current for field rotation.
The AC current is applied to the stator, which creates a rotating magnetic field. This induces a current in the rotor, which starts rotating after the stator. This is how induction motors work.
The reason why induction AC motors are so popular in Tesla is because they are extremely efficient. Also, they require the least maintenance, making them a perfect choice for an EV.
4. What are the Components of a Tesla Engine?
An internal combustion engine works in combination with various systems such as the fuel system, cooling system, charging system, and many others.
Together, these systems are responsible for producing the final output. Tesla’s engine also works along with many aiding systems.
There is the motor, which acts as the main engine, but it works alongside the battery, inverter, and drivetrain components to propel your vehicle.
Let’s see the working of these components individually.
Electric Motor
As discussed in detail above, Tesla cars mainly use two types of motors. The permanent magnet synchronous AC motors and the induction AC motors. Both these motors are very efficient and require the least maintenance. This is why Tesla uses them.
An internal combustion engine is a combination of over 100 smaller components and assemblies. In comparison, the electric motor houses only a few components, which include the magnets, winding, stator, rotor, shaft, bearing, coils, and housing.
Battery Pack
The battery pack serves as the substitute for the fuel system in a conventional internal combustion engine. It stores electrical power and releases it slowly over time.
Just like you need to fill up the gas in your internal combustion engine, the battery pack of a Tesla needs to be charged frequently. All Tesla models use lithium-ion batteries.
These lithium-ion batteries are made from smaller cells. These cells are infused together effectively to produce a larger battery that gives you hundreds of miles in range.
Another system deeply embedded in the battery pack of Tesla is the cooling system. Tesla models use a combination of pumps, coolers, and multiple radiators to get rid of excess heat.
Inverter
Again, if we are using the ICE analogy, the inverter serves the same purpose in a Tesla as a flywheel. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s somewhat comparable.
The flywheel evens out the jerks and uneven vibrations in the piston output. In comparison, the inverter controls the fluctuations in the frequency of alternating current.
This ensures a smooth regulation of frequency and more precise control over the speed of the electric motor. In short, the inverter manages the output of the motor in a Tesla.
Drivetrain
A Tesla doesn’t have an elaborate transmission system like gas-powered vehicles. Instead of a multi-gear transmission system, Tesla utilizes a single-speed direct-drive transmission.
This system directly transfers the power produced by the motor onto the wheels without any lag whatsoever. This ensures a smooth and efficient power transmission.
5. Does Any Tesla Model Have an Engine?
None of the Tesla models have an internal combustion engine. Rather, they run on electric motors that draw power from batteries.
Let’s understand the details of the propulsion system of each Tesla model.
Does the Tesla Model S Have an Engine?
No, the Tesla Model S doesn’t have an internal combustion engine. It uses electric motors for propulsion. The Model S Performance trim has a dual motor arrangement.
A permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor is used on the front wheels with an output of 275 hp. In contrast, the rear wheels use an induction AC motor churning out 503 hp.
On the other hand, the Model S Plaid uses a three-motor arrangement with an output of over 1,020 hp. All three of these are permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors.
Does the Tesla Model X Have an Engine?
No, the Tesla Model X doesn’t have an internal combustion engine. It uses electric motors for propulsion. The Model X Paid trim has a dual motor arrangement.
Both motors used in Model X Plaid are permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors. The combined output of front and rear motors is capped at 532 hp.
Does the Tesla Model Y Have an Engine?
No, the Tesla Model Y doesn’t have an internal combustion engine. Both its trims use electric motors for propulsion. The Long Range and Performance trims use two motors each.
One motor used in each trim is a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, while the other one is the induction AC motor. The combined output of Long Range trim comes to 384 hp. On the other hand, the combined output for the Performance trim is 470 hp.
Does the Tesla Model 3 Have an Engine?
No, the Tesla Model 3 doesn’t have an internal combustion engine. It is offered in two trims known as the Long Range and the Performance trim. Both its trims use electric motors for propulsion. The Long Range and Performance trims use two motors each.
One motor used in each trim is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor, while the other one is the induction motor. The front motor in the Long Range trim produces 184 hp, whereas the rear motor produces 241 hp. On the other, the combined output for the Performance trim is 470 hp.
6. How Many Motors Does a Tesla Have?
Each model and trim of Tesla uses a different combination of motors. Let’s summarize the number and type of motor for each Tesla Model in this section.
| Model | Trim | No. of Motors | Arrangement | Drivetrain | Front Motor(s) Type | Rear Motor(s) Type |
| S | Standard | 2 | 1 Front, 1 Rear | AWD | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | Induction AC Motor |
| Plaid | 3 | 1 Front, 2 Rear | AWD | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | |
| X | Standard | 2 | 1 Front, 1 Rear | AWD | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor |
| Plaid | 3 | 1 Front, 2 Rear | AWD | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | |
| Y | Long Range | 2 | 1 Front, 1 Rear | AWD | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | Induction AC Motor |
| Performance | 2 | 1 Front, 1 Rear | AWD | Induction AC Motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | |
| 3 | Standard | 1 | 1 Rear | RWD | N/A | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor |
| Long Range | 2 | 1 Front, 1 Rear | AWD | Induction AC Motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor | |
| Performance | 2 | 1 Front, 1 Rear | AWD | Induction AC Motor | Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor |
7. Is Tesla the Same as Hybrid Vehicles?
No, Tesla cars are very different from hybrid vehicles. Tesla Models use a purely electric powertrain, whereas hybrid vehicles use a mix of electric and gas power.
Hybrid vehicles come fitted with an internal combustion engine as well as an electric motor. Now, there are so many types of hybrid vehicles that it can get confusing at times.
The major difference between Tesla and hybrid vehicles is the range. While hybrid cars may give a purely electric range of 20-40 miles, Teslas can go hundreds of miles on a single charge.
Hybrid vehicles are very expensive to maintain. This is due to the highly complex drivetrain design of hybrid vehicles, which breaks down very often.
Teslas, on the other hand, require little to no maintenance. There are no engine oils and oil filter replacements in Tesla. However, you have to keep up with these things in hybrid vehicles.
