As part of a recently completed European research initiative, Ricardo has announced that it has developed a new 48V e-motor that offers up to a 50% increase in power density compared with current production machines.
The new e-motor and accompanying inverter are based on the latest advances in high-performance, low-cost electrification technology, and resulted from Ricardo’s participation in the ECOCHAMPS (European COmpetitiveness in Commercial Hybrid and AutoMotive PowertrainS) project – which is focused on achieving a 20% performance increase and a 20% reduction in weight and volume in comparison with the best-in-class hybrid vehicles on the market at the beginning of the project.
Testing of the new motor as part of the ECOCHAMPS project was undertaken at Ricardo’s facilities in Cambridge and Shoreham-by-Sea in the UK, and used three prototype units built for the project.
“Affordable hybridization for mass market vehicle applications is likely to be key to achieving future fuel economy and CO₂ emissions targets,” said MD of Ricardo Innovations, Thomas Gutwald. “Ricardo is pleased to have been involved in the ECOCHAMPS research initiative. The new Ricardo 48V e-motor and inverter that we have announced is a demonstration of the very significant strides that are possible by applying the latest thinking to the engineering of electric powertrain architectures and components.
“We look forward to working with our partners to help pull forward the technology, which will enable auto makers to create a new generation of better performing and highly cost-effective 48V hybrids that offer close to the fuel efficiency of full hybrids at a fraction of the on-cost.”
