ZF Group, a leading automotive supplier, has successfully developed an electric motor that eliminates the need for rare earth materials, all without sacrificing performance.
The technology, known as I2SM, or in-rotor inductive-excited synchronous motor, can be used in both the commercial vehicle and passenger car markets. Unlike traditional electric motors that rely on magnets containing rare earth materials, the I2SM operates magnet-free.
This breakthrough not only reduces environmental impact but also tackles supply chain challenges associated with mining and processing rare earth materials. By doing so, ZF Group estimates a 50% reduction in the carbon footprint of the electric motor’s production.
ZF claims that the performance data of the I2SM is comparable to magnet-based electric motors. Martin Fischer, ZF’s board member for North America, discussed this new technology during a roundtable with industry press at the IAA transportation show on September 4th.
“That motor is the same size as a magnet motor, and out of that same size you get the same performance,” he said. “That’s really a big step forward.”
Fischer went on to note the incredible speed of technological advancements from one generation of electric vehicles to the next.
“When you think about vehicles on the road today, it’s basically 400-volt silicon technology,” he said. “The vast majority of the established market is now transitioning to 800-volt technology for better efficiency, and silicon carbide technology.”
ZF is working on improving its I2SM technology for production and will soon make it available as an option on their e-drive platform. This means that both commercial vehicle and passenger car manufacturers will have the choice to use either the 800-volt or 400-volt architecture.
Source: Transport Topics
