A drive wheel is a wheel of a motor vehicle that transmits force, transforming torque into tractive force from the tires to the road, causing the vehicle to move. The powertrain delivers enough torque to the wheel to overcome stationary forces, resulting in the vehicle moving forwards or backwards.
The rear driven wheels of a racing car throwing gravel
Differentials and drive shafts deliver torque to the front and rear wheels of a four-wheel drive truck
Opperman Motocart
U.S. Army's Oshkosh 10x10 M1075 Palletized Load System (PLS)
In a motor vehicle, the powertrain comprises the main components that generate power and deliver that power to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive. Hybrid powertrains also include one or more electric traction motors that operate to drive the vehicle wheels. All-electric vehicles eliminate the engine altogether, relying solely on electric motors for propulsion. Occasionally the term powerplant is casually used to refer to the engine or, less often, the entire powertrain.
Powertrain of a modern automobile, comprising engine, torque converter or flywheel, transmission, drive shaft, suspension and the wheels. This specific powertrain features all-wheel drive.
A cutaway view of an automotive final drive unit, which contains the differential
RWD powertrain show drive to the rear wheels only
4WD powertrain shows drive to all wheels