Reply #6: For small motors, the in wheel drives are very efficient.

[ladjf]

With the large, heavier motors, there are some serious problems dealing with the suspension. The shock from the the larger motors is proportional to the square of the mass.

For that reason, and some others, the large electric vehicles may have to use centrally mounted motors with shafts to the wheels similar to the systems on front wheel drive gasoline automobiles.