Our Technology
Made in USA
Overview
Alpha Motor’s electric vehicles are developed and manufactured domestically. Our patented production system is guided by consumer priorities: Value, Variety, and Versatility.
Key Enablers
Value, Variety, Versatility
Our modular technology streamlines the production of various models by leveraging a shared platform. This efficiency reduces manufacturing complexity, enhances automation, ensures high-quality standards, and accelerates scalability to meet mainstream market needs:
VALUE — Modular Platform: enables the sharing of components and subsystems across different models, reducing manufacturing complexity, streamlining supply chain management, and accelerating time-to-market.
VARIETY — Flexible Manufacturing: standardizes parts into scalable, cost-efficient commodities, unlocking economies of scale, and accelerating production at a significantly greater capital efficiency than traditional vertical integration.
VERSATILITY — Scalable Customization: prioritizes price, performance, and personalization, making EVs accessible to a broad audience. This consumer-focused approach enhances satisfaction by enabling individuals to tailor their vehicles to their preferences.
“We’re dedicated to accelerating the real transition to electric vehicles.”
We Prioritize:
Consumers 〉 Trends
(Consumer demand shapes industry trends)
Efficiency 〉 Speed
(Efficient processes accelerate innovation)
Scalability 〉 Polarization
(Scalability enables widespread adoption)
Refinement 〉 Branding
(Continuous improvement in quality builds trust)
Durability 〉 Complexity
(Long-lasting usability delivers tangible value)
Our Engineering Principles
EV Optimization
Our engineering principles prioritize EV optimization. The tipping points for electric vehicle (EV) efficiency are tied to how vehicle weight and battery capacity affect energy consumption. As vehicle weight and battery capacity increase, the energy required to move the vehicle increases disproportionately, resulting in diminished efficiency.
Energy Consumption and Weight
Energy consumption in vehicles is roughly proportional to the vehicle’s mass. As the weight of the vehicle increases, the energy required to accelerate and maintain speed also increases.
Battery Capacity and Weight
Battery capacity in EVs is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and the weight of a battery pack generally increases with capacity. While larger batteries provide extended range, the weight they add to the vehicle begins to offset the efficiency gains.
Energy Consumption and Added Weight
When battery capacity exceeds 100 kWh, the added battery weight (around 1,500 pounds) significantly increases the vehicle’s total weight, pushing the vehicle toward or beyond the 7,000-pound range where efficiency declines. The increased weight requires more energy to move, so the benefit of extra range is diminished by the higher energy required to move the heavier battery.
Tipping Point for Motor Power
A 300–350 kW motor is generally the upper limit for what is considered efficient in mainstream EVs. Larger motors (above 350 kW) provide more power and acceleration but consume more energy, especially in heavier vehicles. For daily driving, this excess power rarely translates into usable range, resulting in reduced efficiency.
In heavier vehicles (over 6,000 pounds), larger motors are needed to maintain acceptable acceleration, but the energy consumption rises quickly, making the vehicle less efficient overall. Power in an electric vehicle (EV) is directly related to the battery capacity, motor output, and how these factors interact with the vehicle’s weight. When discussing tipping points for weight and battery capacity in relation to efficiency, the power dynamics of the vehicle are also affected.
Power and Energy Relationship
The tipping point occurs when the increase in motor power leads to a disproportionate increase in energy consumption. At this point, the benefits of increased motor power—such as faster acceleration and higher performance—are outweighed by the much higher energy demand, which negatively impacts range and overall efficiency:
200 kW motor: 0.25 kWh/mile (baseline, efficient)
300 kW motor: 0.33 kWh/mile (+33.2% increase in energy consumption)
400 kW motor: 0.44 kWh/mile (+77.6% increase in energy consumption)
This shows that even though motor power has only doubled (from 200 kW to 400 kW), the energy consumption per mile has increased by 77.6%, highlighting the diminishing returns on efficiency.
Power-to-Weight Ratio
The power-to-weight ratio is a critical metric that influences vehicle performance. A higher power-to-weight ratio results in better acceleration and overall performance. However, as vehicle weight increases due to additional battery capacity or heavier components, the power-to-weight ratio decreases unless the motor power is increased.
Effect of Battery Capacity on Power Delivery
Battery capacity (measured in kWh) dictates how much energy is available to supply the electric motor over time. However, the capacity of the battery does not directly determine the power output—that is more related to the powertrain design and motor size. But the relationship between battery capacity and vehicle weight can indirectly affect power delivery.
Diminishing Returns on Performance
As battery capacity increases beyond a certain point (typically 100 kWh), the added weight causes diminishing returns on performance. This happens because:
More power is required to maintain the same level of performance: The motor works harder to move the heavier battery, consuming more energy without proportionally improving acceleration or top speed.
Additional strain on the motor: Heavier vehicles put more strain on the electric motor and drivetrain, requiring the vehicle’s motor to draw more power from the battery, which leads to faster depletion and decreased range.
Power Delivery and Range
Adding more power (in terms of kW from the motor) increases performance but also increases energy consumption. A high-performance vehicle with a large motor can deliver strong acceleration, but it will drain the battery faster, especially in heavier vehicles.
Impact on Driving Dynamics
As weight and battery size increase:
Acceleration: Heavier vehicles, despite having high power, generally have slower acceleration due to lower power-to-weight ratios.
Handling: Heavier vehicles have more inertia, which affects braking and cornering performance, even if they have powerful motors.
In contrast, lighter vehicles can maintain strong power-to-weight ratios and efficient power delivery, offering both strong performance and high efficiency without the need for oversized motors or battery packs.
Why These Metrics Matter
Maintaining this balance between weight, motor power, battery capacity, and energy consumption ensures that the electric vehicle delivers strong performance while maximizing range and efficiency. Vehicles designed with these metrics in mind offer the best combination of cost-effectiveness, environmental benefits, and practicality for everyday use. Learn about our ESG policy.
