Multi-speed transmissions are utterly necessary with diesel engines to keep engine operating speed within a very limited bandwidth for performance and efficiency. Electric motor have much broader power and efficiency curves, demanding far fewer gear ratios.
Cummins Buying Meritor to Accelerate Electrification Development
Cummins is buying Meritor in a deal that will give the company a broad reach in traditional powertrains and components as well as accelerating its development of battery-electric and fuel-cell-electric propulsion systems.