Drive device, in particular for an electric vehicle

A drive device for an electric vehicle, the drive device comprising:

• an electric motor;
• an axle drive;
• and
• a multistep reduction gear arranged between the electric motor and the axle drive, wherein the at least one multistep reduction gear comprises precisely three planetary gear stages that are operatively interconnected;
• sun gears;
• internal gears;
• planet carriers;
• two shift units;
• a transmission input element configured for attachment to the electric motor for conjoint rotation;
• and
• a transmission output element for attaching the axle drive for conjoint rotation,
• wherein the transmission input element is permanently connected to the sun gear of the first planetary gear stage for conjoint rotation,
• wherein the transmission output element is permanently connected to the planet carrier of the third planetary gear stage for conjoint rotation,
• wherein the planet carrier of the first planetary gear stage and the sun gear of the third planetary gear stage are permanently interconnected for conjoint rotation,
• wherein the internal gear of the first planetary gear stage and the sun gear of the second planetary gear stage are permanently interconnected for conjoint rotation, and
• wherein
• the planet carrier of the second planetary gear stage and the planet carrier of the third planetary gear stage are permanently interconnected for conjoint rotation, or
• a third shift unit is intended for connecting the planet carrier of the second planetary gear stage to the planet carrier of the third planetary gear stage for conjoint rotation.