Back in time electric vehicles were mainly transformed from existing internal combustion motors vehicles, by changing conventional engine, fuel tank and some parts related with an electric motor, battery and controller. More or less all other parts were same for both vehicle constructions. It was resulting in some power characteristics degradation in new electric vehicle. Not to forget that fuel costs at that time were much smaller than today. Those 2 factors were some of the many factors resulting fading out of electric vehicle manufacturing and further development.

Looking today, modern electric vehicles are developed separately from scratch. Nowadays electric vehicles are based on original developed frame, body and design. With these changes, electric propulsion gets more flexibility and overall performance improvement. Concept of a modern electric vehicle drive is conceptualized with 3 main subsystems:

Electric motor with propulsion

Source of energy

Auxiliary

The electric vehicle motor propulsion contains vehicle controller, electronic converter of power, electric motor, transmission (mechanical) and driving wheels.

The source of energy comprises energy source, unit where energy management is provided, and unit or refueling (recharging).

The auxiliary subsystem consists of steering unit, climate control unit and auxiliary supply.

Depends of controlling inputs from accelerator and brake pedals, the vehicle control unit dispatch right control signals to the electric power converter. It regulates signals and power stream between energy source and electric motor. Power flow that goes backwards (regenerative braking) is restored to the energy source. Most types of batteries that are used nowadays got ability to accept regenerated energy.

The energy management unit communicates with controller, controlling regenerative braking and energy recuperation. Another task on this unit is control of recharging unit and direct usability of power source.

Auxiliary power supply gives power with different voltage levels for all electric vehicle auxiliaries. There are many different electric vehicle configurations. Electric propulsion may contain electric motor which power is connected or disconnected with the clutch. Gearbox is providing right gear ratios for speed power modifications. The differential, usually set of planetary gears, is a typical mechanical device enabling wheels from both sides of the vehicle to be driven with different speeds in case of curved road. Another combination of electric vehicle is when electric vehicle is equipped with multispeed gearbox reducing the clutch. This construction simplifies drive control (no gear shifting) and reduces weight and overall size of vehicle. Another development point in electric vehicles is replacing mechanical differential with two traction motors. In that way each motor propels one side wheel with different speed on a curved road. For further simplicity traction motors can be made- in wheel drive (traction motor placed inside wheel)
In any case one thing is for sure that electric motor has to have a high torque in order to accelerate vehicle up to needed level.