Electric Machines

Global light-duty vehicle (LDV) xEV production, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and hybrids, is expected to be over 70 million by 2030. Each of those vehicles requires at least one motor and, in some cases, one per wheel.

In recent years, electric traction motors have seen advancement and change driven by the need for higher efficiency, reliability and sustainability. Advancements in electric motor technology have led to more powerful and efficient traction motors. These motors deliver improved torque, acceleration, and overall performance, enhancing the driving experience.

As power has improved more attention is being paid to cost, efficiency, and the driving dynamics. This is seen in integration trends and in a focus on noise, vibration and harshness. Consideration of noise, vibration and harshness is often about providing a smooth driving experience but for performance vehicles it can be about introducing character to the drive. Further integration with other subsystems, like power electronics, with software control systems providing new functionality enhancing safety, lifetime and performance.

Improving sustainability is challenging as differing design and levels of integration makes disassembly and recycling difficult. New methods for extracting materials are likely to be developed, particularly as volumes increase and the value of the embedded materials increases.