Could an Electric Car be Equipped with a Manual Gearbox and Clutch

Nowadays, the popularity of manual gearboxes with clutch is fading all over the world. The process of automation took a dominant position in the auto industry and in the segment of transmissions in particular. As a result, we have a whole generation of young drivers, who have no idea of how to drive a car equipped with the manual gearbox. But on the other hand, there are still many “old-school” drivers who like to be in charge of the gear shifting process.

It’s not a secret that all major auto manufacturers contribute greatly to programs on development of electric vehicles (EV) and in the nearest future this trend will gain greater momentum. But how will it affect vehicles with internal-combustion engines (ICE)? Will they become extinct? And more importantly, EVs don’t have a traditional gearbox. What if admirers of manual gearboxes will be interested in buying EVs in the future?

In practice, EVs do not require any transmission, since the max torque of the E-motor becomes available as soon as the driver presses the gas pedal. In other words, any E-motor, even at low RPM, ensures maximum power. It’s no use in applying the clutch in the EV. The electric motor will not stall if the driver does not engage the required gear, as it happens in automobiles equipped with ICEs. That’s why usage of the manual gearbox with the clutch makes no sense.

But, is it technically feasible to install the manual gearbox in the EV? The answer is yes. As a result, the stick gearbox integrated in the EV will operate the same way as in common cars with ICEs and real fans of manual gear shifting will be happy to have such a car. The question is whether this solution is economically viable and how auto manufacturers will regard this idea…

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