A new in-wheel motor for electric vehicles (EVs) offers massive amounts of torque in a lightweight package, developers say.
The motor, made by YASA, a Mercedes-Benz subsidiary that also supplies motors to Ferrari, weighs just 28 pounds (12.7 kilograms) but can deliver up to 1,000 horsepower at a time, or 469 to 536 horsepower over extended periods of time. This new mark shatters YASA’s own previous unofficial record of 738 horsepower from a 29-pound motor, company representatives said in a statement.
you may like
The ability to pack so much power into such a compact and lightweight motor is due in part to YASA’s axial flux technology. A traditional radial flux motor is a longer tubular structure with a stator (the stationary part of the motor that produces the magnetic field used to create movement) surrounding a cylindrical rotor. The magnetic field passes perpendicularly to the shaft through the cylinder, causing the rotor to rotate.
In contrast, an axial flux motor resembles a pancake with a disc-shaped rotor and stator. The magnetic flux passes along an axis parallel to the shaft (hence the name). According to YASA, axial flux technology allows for a much more compact design than traditional radial designs.
Even lighter EVs in the future
The company emphasized that the design is scalable and does not rely on unusual or exotic materials to function.
This design also paves the way for significant weight savings in EV designs. YASA said the introduction of in-wheel motors in place of traditional powertrains and drivetrains will save approximately 440 pounds (200 kg). And for vehicles designed from the ground up to include a new motor, savings can be closer to 1,100 pounds (500 kg).
This is also because the system also incorporates advanced regenerative braking. This is a process by which electric vehicles capture energy that would normally be lost as heat during braking and use it to charge the battery.
Rather than shunting power from the battery to spin the wheels, it captures energy from the wheels to spin the motors, generating electricity rather than consuming it. The motor resists rotation as it generates energy, which slows down the car and powers the battery. YASA says efficient regenerative braking reduces the need for traditional friction brakes, potentially saving both weight and space.
While the current iteration is clearly aimed at high-performance EVs and supercars, axial flux motor technology opens the door to long-range electric vehicles that can generate more power with fewer lightweight components. Reducing the space required for traditional powertrain components also gives manufacturers the opportunity to streamline aerodynamics and provide more interior space for cargo and passengers.
Source link
