Weight reductions on an electric car are self-reinforcing. If you reduce the weight of a component, the battery can become (slightly) smaller, which again reduces weight. At a certain amount of reduction this will allow you to make the whole structure lighter, which will again allow for a smaller battery.
So yeah, weight reduction on EVs is great.
Also not considered is that the announcement is for 740bhp motor. The Tesla model 3 has a vehicle output of about 400 hp. I’m not sure of all the design specs, but it seems clear to me that a smaller version of these motors could suffice to drive a 3 equivalent vehicle at 1/2 the output and still be more than sufficient. So let’s say maybe 15lbs each, vs current equivalent 70lbs each. It’s not major total weight impact, but with battery advancements it will compound.
I think people are overlooking that the announcement is for a performance motor meant for the performance market at the moment because that is what the backers of YASA are most interested in because it has the highest margins and prestige. Also not mentioned is the efficiency from the simpler production line.
My impression from what I know is we are looking at an impact equivalent to direct injection engines; not revolutionary, but a major advancement of one component that has significant and consequential effects.
The e-motor is often “overpowered” in EVs (compared to ICEs) to make regenerative braking efficient, i.e. capture meaningful energy from braking.
And because almost everyone is a sucker for the "Stomp on the pedal and it goes fast" marketing strategy and demonstration.
That's why a modern Camry makes almost 200 HP
It's also just a lot easier and cheaper to make an electric motor "overpowered" by 25% or even 50+% than an internal combustion engine.
> If you reduce the weight of a component, the battery can become (slightly) smaller
Suppose we have a motor that weighs half as much, but produces double the output power, but consumes 4x the input power (so, it is half as efficient).
How would that lead to a smaller battery?
Wouldn't we need the component to use less power if we wanted to shrink the battery, rather than just weigh less?