THERMALLY ENHANCED HUB MOTOR

An electric vehicle is disclosed having a frame; at least one wheel assembly; a hub motor corresponding to each wheel assembly, each hub motor including: a stator disposed concentrically within the ground-contacting element, and an axle portion formed as a single piece having a central shaft extending axially from a mandrel fixed concentrically within the stator, the mandrel having an outer diameter larger than the central shaft, an outer surface of the mandrel in direct contact with the stator, the central shaft and the mandrel comprising material having a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the stator; wherein the axle portion of each hub motor is in thermal communication with the frame, and the mandrel is connected to the central shaft by a plurality of radial connectors unitary with the mandrel and the central shaft. The electric vehicle may be an electric scooter, electric bicycle or a self-balancing vehicle.