What is an Electric Motor?
The single moving part that replaces the engine, gearbox and clutch.
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
In an EV, the electric motor is what spins the wheels. Most modern EVs use either a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (very efficient, common on rear axles) or an induction motor (cheaper magnets, often on front axles for AWD). Unlike a petrol engine with hundreds of moving parts, a typical EV motor has essentially one — the rotor.
"It's like a giant cordless drill connected straight to the wheels. Press the trigger (accelerator), it spins. Release it, and you can spin it backwards to recharge the battery a little."
How it works
The inverter feeds the motor a rapidly switching three-phase AC current. This creates a rotating magnetic field in the stator, which drags the rotor (and the wheels) around with it. Change the frequency and the motor speeds up or slows down; change the direction and the car reverses — no gearbox needed. Lift off the accelerator and the motor runs in reverse as a generator, sending energy back to the battery (regenerative braking).
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Whining or grinding noise from the drive unit
- ⚠"Reduced power" warning
- ⚠Vibration under acceleration
- ⚠Loss of regen braking
- ⚠Coolant leak around the motor housing
£2,400 – £9,200
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.