A look at that the front wheel motors in a Kawasaki Teryx modfied by EVDrive with their Terra Torque Drive.

A programmable system with motors for each wheel, the EVDrive system can provide a UTV with great handling characteristics, including the ability to execute a zero radius turn.

EVDrive has demonstrated their Terra Torque Drive electric motor technology for use in off-road powersports vehicles. The electric 4-wheel, 4-motor torque vectoring technology was put into a stock 4-seat Kawasaki Teryx4. The UTV demonstrator uses four sealed liquid-cooled EVDrive EVD35 35kW/47hp peak drive sub-systems, de-tuned to ~30kW/hp each or delivering a total of ~160hp/120kW peak. At each motor shaft, ~66 ft-lbs (89 N·m) peak torque is delivered. As currently configured, 726 ft-lbs (984 N·m) peak torque is delivered which allows the vehicle to perform zero radius turns. This basically means the vehicle can spin in place. The demonstrator has a top speed of 45 mph which can be reached in 4 seconds with good traction. With software controlled motors on each wheel, the wheels can be programmed to independently turn at any speed or direction which allows for some great handling possibilities. Additional traction modes are planned including  auto dynamic terrain type posi-traction control, variable inclination angle offset descent control, zero radius turns on incline, emergency 4-wheel panic braking/stop and boulder climbing. The system also has regenerative braking.

To modify the vehicle EVDrive removed the gas engine and AWD mechanical drivetrain and put in their 160hp (119 kW) peak total version of the Terra-Torque-Drive. According to Co-Founder and COO, Steve Tice ” Off-road UTVs are ideally suited to our torque vectoring technology where only single fixed speed reduction is required per motor-wheel to attain 55-75 mph top-speeds with the type of high RPM brushless motor technology we employ.” The company also has a single-cylinder, 20 hp range extender engine which can be added to the system. According to EVDrive the system with range extender allows for:

• Highest efficiency 4wd drivetrain on any UTV today (least mechanical losses);
• Dynamic torque vectoring modes both for high and low speed operation, e.g. industry unique “Zero Radius Turning” and high speed active torque vectoring allows for better and safer handling off-road;
• Torque and power from -100 to +100% can be dynamically sent to any wheel, in either direction, in any combination, at any time.
• Series hybrid with optimized internal combustion engine powered REX to allow for longer range matching or exceeding gas powered UTVs sold today.
• 120vac power from onboard battery pack, backed up with the REX for general utility use;
• Lower cost to maintain and operate. Superior fuel economy, estimated average 50-100% better, and for short trips, no fuel may be needed at all. Plug-in to standard electric car chargers;
• Superior straight-line and rough loose material, curvy trail acceleration;
• Greater river depth traversal possible due to completely sealed liquid cooled e-motors/power electronics; and
• Torque vectoring software platform allows new traction capabilities to be supported like “apps” without costly mechanical NRE expenses to the OEM; OEM can provide customers software updates for new capabilities.

Learn more:  GreenCarCongress (includes video of vehicle in action)