A powertrain assembly, comprising: an electric motor, said electric motor comprising: a hollow rotor shaft; and a rotor lamination stack containing a plurality of permanent magnets, wherein said rotor lamination stack encircles said hollow rotor shaft, and wherein said rotor lamination stack is attached directly to said hollow rotor shaft; a differential gear assembly mounted within said hollow rotor shaft, wherein a first output shaft coupled to said differential gear assembly exits said hollow rotor shaft from a first end of said hollow rotor shaft, wherein a second output shaft coupled to said differential gear assembly exits said hollow rotor shaft from a second end of said hollow rotor shaft, and wherein said second end of said hollow rotor shaft is distal from said first end of said hollow rotor shaft; a first planetary gear assembly coupled to said first output shaft, wherein said first planetary gear assembly is coaxially aligned with said hollow rotor shaft, said first planetary gear assembly comprising a first planetary gear carrier; and a second planetary gear assembly coupled to said second output shaft, wherein said second planetary gear assembly is coaxially aligned with said hollow rotor shaft, said second planetary gear assembly comprising a second planetary gear carrier; characterized by a first constant velocity joint component (205; 601), said first CV joint component (205; 601) further comprising a first CV joint housing member, wherein said first planetary gear carrier is integral to said first CV joint component (205; 601); and a second CV joint component, said second CV joint component further comprising a second CV joint housing member, wherein said second planetary gear carrier is integral to said second CV joint component. an electric motor, said electric motor comprising: a hollow rotor shaft; and a rotor lamination stack containing a plurality of permanent magnets, wherein said rotor lamination stack encircles said hollow rotor shaft, and wherein said rotor lamination stack is attached directly to said hollow rotor shaft; a hollow rotor shaft; and a rotor lamination stack containing a plurality of permanent magnets, wherein said rotor lamination stack encircles said hollow rotor shaft, and wherein said rotor lamination stack is attached directly to said hollow rotor shaft; a differential gear assembly mounted within said hollow rotor shaft, wherein a first output shaft coupled to said differential gear assembly exits said hollow rotor shaft from a first end of said hollow rotor shaft, wherein a second output shaft coupled to said differential gear assembly exits said hollow rotor shaft from a second end of said hollow rotor shaft, and wherein said second end of said hollow rotor shaft is distal from said first end of said hollow rotor shaft; a first planetary gear assembly coupled to said first output shaft, wherein said first planetary gear assembly is coaxially aligned with said hollow rotor shaft, said first planetary gear assembly comprising a first planetary gear carrier; and a second planetary gear assembly coupled to said second output shaft, wherein said second planetary gear assembly is coaxially aligned with said hollow rotor shaft, said second planetary gear assembly comprising a second planetary gear carrier; characterized by a first constant velocity joint component (205; 601), said first CV joint component (205; 601) further comprising a first CV joint housing member, wherein said first planetary gear carrier is integral to said first CV joint component (205; 601); and a second CV joint component, said second CV joint component further comprising a second CV joint housing member, wherein said second planetary gear carrier is integral to said second CV joint component.