Pros and Cons of FWD, RWD, & AWD EVs

Green Wave has great electric vehicles for winter driving.

If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV), one of the considerations is the drive train. Like internal combustion engine (I.C.E.) vehicles, EVs are available in front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Each drive train option has its pros and cons — but the equation is different for EVs than it is for ICE vehicles. Let’s break it down.

FWD vs. RWD EVs 

First things first: What is a front-wheel drive car vs. a rear-wheel drive car, and why should you care when you buy an EV?

Front-wheel drive means that only the front wheels of your vehicle receive power — whether that power comes from a gas engine or an electric motor. Rear-wheel drive cars do the opposite, powering only the rear wheels.

In an I.C.E. vehicle, FWD usually means greater efficiency and better performance in slippery conditions vs. RWD. That’s because the weight of a gas motor is above the front axle, which gives them better traction. EVs, with their heavy, centrally located battery packs, do a better job splitting that load, sometimes carrying more weight on the rear axle than on the front. That’s why, in 2018, the CEO of Volkswagen predicted that EVs would be the end of FWD.

That prediction hasn’t come true — yet. There are plenty of FWD EVs on the market. Popular models such as the Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Bolt, and Nissan Leaf are all available in FWD. However, most newer or higher end EVs are available only in RWD or AWD.

Should You Buy a FWD EV?

A front-wheel-drive car, whether it’s powered by gas or electricity, asks a great deal of its front tires. They have to accelerate the vehicle, they have to steer, and in conjunction with the rear tires, bring the vehicle to a stop. When you ask the tires to do two of these things simultaneously, they’re more likely to lose grip and start to slip. If the front tires are asked to change the vehicle’s direction with 100 percent of the available traction, there’s no grip left over to accelerate or slow the car. And if the car is accelerating, it takes grip away from the front wheels at the exact moment that grip is at a premium.

Electric motors make their peak torque nearly instantly. In a front-drive EV like the Chevrolet Bolt, this makes it easy to accidentally spin the tires by prodding the accelerator too hard, particularly when accelerating while turning. Separating the steering axle from the drive axle with a rear-mounted motor alleviates this problem.

Should You Buy a RWD EV?

Rear-wheel drive has traditionally been associated with problematic handling in slippery conditions such as snow-covered roads. In these situations, a gas-powered rear-drive vehicle is more likely to fishtail or slide if the driver accelerates too hard. Will that be a problem for rear-wheel drive EVs?

Likely not. As we mentioned, the weight carried by a tire has a direct effect on how much grip it offers, and there’s a big difference in weight distribution between a gas and electric rear-drive vehicle. On top of that, many drivers prefer the performance of RWD electric vehicles.

Technology also plays an important role in the performance of electric vehicles in slippery conditions. In the event that the tires start to slip or the vehicle begins to slide, engineers will program stability control and traction control systems to keep the vehicle under control. 

Many people who were around before FWD remember that RWD cars had less traction. The main reason for this was that these older RWD cars had only one-wheel drive. Then manufacturers started offering a limited-slip rear differential that connected both rear wheels and greatly increased traction. EVs with RWD are the same as traditional RWD vehicles with limited-slip rear axles.

Are AWD EVs Worth It?

Today, many EV models offer all-wheel drive for those drivers in snowbelt states who have come to depend on it. AWD EVs have two motors — one that powers the front wheels, and one that powers the rear wheels. 

AWD EVs are typically more expensive than their FWD or RWD counterparts. AWD loses about 10% of the range over FWD or RWD because of the extra weight of the second motor and the power from the motor. Is AWD worth the extra cost and loss of range efficiency?

Maybe, maybe not. You probably will see some difference between AWD EVs and either FWD or RWD EVs in snow and other slippery conditions. But that difference won’t be as dramatic as it is with internal combustion engine vehicles.

Why not? No longer constrained by the requirements of a combustion engine, carmakers can focus on what dynamically makes the most sense with EVs. With the flexibility afforded by modern EVs, chassis engineers can design the platform in a way that makes the vehicle the most stable, most balanced, most natural-feeling car to drive under all circumstances, with mechanical duties reassigned to where they are best served.

Also, consider that tires are 80% of the traction equation, not drive axles. If you have a FWD or RWD and you need a new tire, you only have to replace two tires. With AWD you have to replace all four.

Which is better: FWD, RWD, or AWD EVs?

There is no simple answer to that question. Like so many other EV features, which drivetrain style you choose comes down to your individual circumstances and preferences. Have a limited budget and want to get the most EV range possible? A FWD Chevy Bolt might be your best bet.

Ready to step up but don’t want to pay more or sacrifice range for AWD? You’ll find loads of RWD EV options that will perform just fine in most winter weather conditions — including the Tesla Model 3 with a long-range battery that gives you up to 330 miles of range on a full charge.

Have a long, steep gravel driveway that gets snowed in every winter? It may be worth it to invest in an AWD EV. As a driver of an AWD Mustang Mach-E, I can attest that it’s a beast in snow and ice.

Want Help Choosing the Best EV for You?

That’s what we’re here for! Contact us online, give us a call at 603-379-9420, or just drop by our showroom at 25 Lafayette Road, North Hampton, NH. We’re open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and by appointment. We look forward to getting you into the perfect EV for your budget and lifestyle!