YASA has revealed a new in wheel electric motor design that significantly raises expectations around power density and weight efficiency in electric vehicles. The motor weighs only 28 pounds, or 12.7 kilograms, yet is capable of delivering up to 1,000 horsepower at peak output. According to the company, it can also sustain between 469 and 536 horsepower over extended periods, setting a new internal benchmark and surpassing its previous record of 738 horsepower from a 29 pound motor. The development highlights how electric drivetrain technology continues to evolve rapidly, especially for performance focused applications.
To place the numbers in context, a 2025 Nissan Leaf relies on a single electric motor producing around 214 horsepower, while the Tesla Model S Plaid reaches approximately 1,020 horsepower using a three motor setup. YASA’s latest motor demonstrates how a single, compact unit can approach similar output levels without the complexity of multiple motors spread across a vehicle. This level of power density is made possible through axial flux motor technology. Unlike conventional radial flux motors that use a cylindrical rotor surrounded by a stator, axial flux motors rely on a disc shaped rotor and stator arrangement where magnetic flux runs parallel to the shaft. This configuration allows the motor to deliver high torque and power while remaining significantly smaller and lighter than traditional designs used in most production EVs today.
Beyond raw performance, YASA emphasizes that the motor is designed to be scalable and does not depend on rare or exotic materials. This makes the technology more practical for broader adoption rather than being limited to niche prototypes. The compact form factor also opens up new possibilities for vehicle architecture. By placing motors directly within the wheels, manufacturers could eliminate many conventional drivetrain components. YASA estimates that replacing traditional powertrains with its in wheel motor system could reduce vehicle weight by roughly 440 pounds, or 200 kilograms. For vehicles engineered from the outset to integrate this design, the potential weight savings could increase to around 1,100 pounds, or 500 kilograms. Such reductions have direct implications for efficiency, handling, and overall vehicle dynamics.
The system also integrates regenerative braking, which captures energy normally lost as heat during braking and converts it back into electrical energy to recharge the battery. This approach could reduce or even remove the need for traditional friction based braking systems, further lowering vehicle weight and freeing up space. Fewer mechanical components can also simplify vehicle layouts and improve packaging flexibility. By reclaiming space typically occupied by central motors, gearboxes, and drive shafts, automakers may be able to reallocate volume to battery packs, cargo areas, or passenger comfort features.
While the current version of the in wheel motor is primarily aimed at high performance electric vehicles and supercars, the underlying axial flux technology has implications well beyond that segment. Lighter motors with higher power output can enable longer range vehicles without increasing battery size, while also supporting improved acceleration and responsiveness. The reduction in drivetrain complexity could lead to cleaner vehicle designs with better aerodynamics and more usable interior space. As electric vehicle platforms continue to diversify, YASA’s latest motor illustrates how advances at the component level can influence the broader direction of EV design, manufacturing, and performance across multiple market segments.
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