CVLDGOlf:
The "continuous" torque rating is what the machine can produce over a speed range that runs from zero to the "base (slowest listed) nameplate speed. This is accomplished - in most cases - by using a constant volt/hz approach (for AC) or a volt/rpm for DC. Operating above this base speed point is referred to as "field weakened", because the way to accomplish this is to hold the voltage constant and weaken the magnetic field strength. In this weak field operation, the motor delivers constant power - and delivers MUCH less than full rated torque.
Peak torque is something that can occur either as a regular part of the duty cycle, or as a once-in-a-lifetime catastrophic event. "Occasional" peaks refer to those corresponding to those that happen as often as catastrophic events; "frequent" peaks are anything that happens more often. That being said, the amount of available peak torque is dependent on the design of the machine, which is sometimes driven by the designer's knowledge of the application. For these types of machines, it is not uncommon to have a frequent peak value of 1.5 pu and an occasional peak of 2.0 pu. Note that 1.0 pu refers to the torque available at the speed being investigated: thus for speeds up to base speed, 1.0 pu = base speed torque. At higher speeds, it will be lower since the available torque is lower. According to NEMA (and various IEC documents), the machine is designed to withstand a peak torque event with a duration not to exceed 60 seconds. Practical industrial applications often limit the peak duration to something less than 3 or 4 seconds. Repetitive peaks have to be taken into account in terms of the machine duty cycle: peak torque is proportional to peak current, but heating is proportional to current squared. Most machine windings use a rule of thumb that the RMS average loading on the machine should not exceed nameplate when taken over a rolling 5-minute window. This corresponds to the thermal time constant of the winding itself.
Depending on the specific motor design, it is possible to have 98+ percent efficiency at speeds down to just a few (below 3) rpm. Probably not in something you could use for vehicular motion, but they DO exist. Other options - such as high-speed ratings - require some form of gearing to get the final drive ratio down to something the wheel can handle. Some possible methods have been noted in previous posts; there may be others of which I am not aware. Keep in mind: most electric machines are controlled such that the vehicle application occurs in the "constant torque" range. This means if you're opting for a semi-direct drive approach and slowing the motor down to 10 percent of its nameplate speed rating, you'll only have - at most - 10 percent of the nameplate shaft power available at that operating point.
Converting energy to motion for more than half a century