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  Adding unsprung weight is horrible for vehicle handling in  bumps.  Big
  hp electric motors are very heavy compared to light weight race
  wheels/tires.  I think there's some multiplier that's commonly used
  for the evaluating the cost of unsprung weight - like 3:1
  unsprung:sprung.  I suppose brakes could be made somewhat
  lighter/smaller if the motor reliability is good enough.  I don't  know
  what the offset would be.

  And then, you propose using another electric motor to transfer  energy
  to-from the flywheel?

  Haven't we had this conversation?


  Matt-

Why put the electric motors at the wheels- make them sprung weight by
putting them inboard and using drive shafts like we do now with  gasoling
motors.

Brian Trubee

Higher total weight (possibly), but yes, that's certainly an easy
choice for the back (existing powered wheels).  For the front, adding
drive shafts and u-joints (or cv joints) would be a significant
increase in weight..  Need them on the front so that braking can work
properly.  A front wheel drive Indy Car instead?  Wouldn't be the
first time..  The back wheels could run with normal brakes maybe -
since not that much braking effort is required in back.  More direct
likeness to the econo-boxes most of us are driving now.


Matt-