All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
All-wheel drive (AWD) means a vehicle can deliver propulsion torque to both the front and rear axles.
What it means in an EV
An electric AWD system commonly uses one drive unit on each axle, allowing software to vary front-to-rear torque without a mechanical propshaft between the axles. Other mechanical layouts also exist. AWD does not mean that all four wheels always receive equal torque, that both axles operate continuously, or that each wheel has its own motor.
During light-load driving, an EV may use mainly one axle and add the other for acceleration, traction, regeneration, or stability control. The available split is bounded by tyre grip, axle loads, motor and inverter limits, battery power, and thermal conditions. AWD describes driven-axle capability, not a guaranteed traction result.
For motor combinations, axle control, losses, and torque distribution, see Multi-Motor EV Architectures.