Toyota files patents for manual EVs

EVs have largely been associated with limited transmission, considering that most production electric vehicles today are equipped with a single or two-speed reduction gearbox. But looks like this is about to change! 

Sources have reported that Toyota has filed multiple patents for a multi-speed manual transmission at the USPTO or the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

From what we hear, the patents speak of a manual transmission specifically for EVs. This system will be similar to the shift lever we see on the GR86. It aims at switching between a simulated H-pattern manual and the control modes for regular driving. The new system is mostly for those who wish to enjoy their gear or are used to it. 

The transmission system might not have a huge purpose behind the actual vehicle operation. Instead, it will just provide the feeling of using manual transmission. It will contain a “pseudo-shifter” and a “pseudo-clutch pedal.” 

Toyota’s patent filing says that their new EVs will also come with a shift reaction force generator. It will produce a shift reaction force using the reaction force actuator operation based on the pseudo-shifter’s operation. 

Based on the shifter position of the transmission and its effect on the arbitrary virtual gear, the electric motor’s rotational speed and the torque features will also be different. There might be a new controller to calculate the speed of the virtual engine according to the virtual gear. The speed will then be displayed on the EV’s tachometer. 

Toyota, along with Lexus, showcased many possible EV prototypes that are likely to be a part of their upcoming lineup by 2030. There were several sports cars in that prototype lineup, and who knows, this system might end up in those vehicles. If that happens, Toyota will move beyond patent filing onto the other aspects of this new system.

That’s all we know for now. Stay tuned for more updates!

Also read: Toyota set to make history with its first pure EV bZ4X this year