03:03 09-01-2026

Tesla's fan-driven ground-effect patent boosts EV downforce and acceleration

Tesla has filed a patent for an aerodynamic system designed to sharply increase downforce and acceleration in electric cars. The document outlines an active floor with movable skirts and a cluster of central fans that create a low-pressure zone beneath the vehicle.

At low speeds, the fans operate at full tilt and push air rearward, building a stable low-pressure pocket under the car. As velocity rises, the setup adapts to the road profile, adjusting skirt position and fan output using data on speed, gradient, grip, and even GPS.

In essence, Tesla is proposing a modern take on the classic ground-effect used in late-1970s Formula 1. Back then, solutions like the Lotus 79 with side skirts and the Brabham BT46B with its fan transformed cornering grip, but were later banned due to the risks when components failed.

Tesla, by contrast, frames the system as a way to sharpen launches, improve drag-strip performance, and boost low-speed agility, helping the car feel as if it’s glued to the tarmac. The patent references dedicated modes for standing starts and high-speed running that engage all fans. On paper, that emphasis on control and responsiveness should pay off most where drivers notice it immediately: off the line and in tight maneuvers.

If the technology reaches production, the American brand could offer EVs with levels of downforce previously reserved for racing prototypes.