Tesla has been granted a new patent covering an electric fan system designed to generate downforce without relying on how fast the vehicle is travelling, just over two weeks before the company’s rescheduled Roadster event.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Tesla US Patent 12,746,987 B1, titled “Electric Fan Car,” on September 29. Tesla filed the application in January 2024.
The patent filing describes a duct running from an inlet underneath the vehicle to a larger opening incorporated into the rear diffuser. In one configuration, four electric axial fans are positioned side-by-side at the outlet, with vertical strakes separating them.
Rather than relying solely on airflow passing over and underneath a moving vehicle, the fans actively pull air from beneath the floor. This creates a low-pressure area that increases the force pushing the vehicle toward the road.
The main advantage is that the system can generate downforce even when the vehicle is travelling slowly. In the patent Tesla says the fans “can produce a downforce independent of the vehicle velocity,” potentially improving cornering grip and braking stability before conventional aerodynamic components become effective.
The fans would draw electricity from the same high-voltage battery powering the vehicle and connect to its control system. They could be activated manually by the driver or automatically when certain conditions are met, such as reaching a specified speed.
Tesla also outlines another configuration with two additional underbody inlets. These are intended to prevent the system from drawing air forward from behind the vehicle, which would consume energy without contributing useful downforce. Unlike Tesla’s earlier fan-assisted aerodynamics patent, this design can also operate without deployable skirts underneath the vehicle.
The document does not name the Roadster, and in fact uses the now-discontinued Model S in its diagrams instead of the halo car. Tesla has not confirmed that this fan system, but what else could it be for if not the Roadster?
As we reported yesterday, Tesla moved its outdoor Roadster event from October 1 to October 15 because of severe weather. That event will finally unveil the aerodynamic technology Tesla has developed for the long-awaited car, but for now there is no confirmation that this patented fan system will be part of it.
This is not the only Roadster-related patent we have seen in recent weeks. Earlier this month a separate patent appeared describing a two-piece rear wing that sits flush with the body when stowed before extending for additional downforce.
You can read the full patent below.
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