It has to have two layshafts in order to work the way cruise has explained it. If the motor is in the front it will end up transmitting power to the front layshaft I reckon.
This is going to make it tight for the steering, or it is going to push the layshaft and motor back too far to do anything nice with the batteries.
At least it doesn't sound like it's going to be a BJ4WE clone
(not that I don't like the layout, it's just that it's nice to have different takes on a problem...)