Magna Works on a New E-Motor Solution
Magna International of America, Inc., located
in Troy, Michigan, USA, has recently received a state grant for a joint project
with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and University of Wisconsin. The
main objective of this initiative is to design and ‘auto-qualify’ cutting-edge
e-motor technologies for vehicles of the future.
Within the frame of this undertaking, Magna
will cooperate with other two parties when applying its solid experience in
automotive engineering to provide a highly-efficient e-motor distinguished by
enhanced power density and lowered manufacturing costs when compared to
existing analogs available on the market.
An integrated electric drive axle from Magna’s
portfolio
To be more precise, it is planned to develop the product that is two times cheaper and provides eightfold increase in the power density, while ensuring 125 kW of maximum power. The cost cutting is attained by exclusion of permanent magnets from the e-motor design, as this component is quite expensive. During the project implementation, Magna engineers will combine the e-motor solution with a transmission and inverter to complement the e-drive system.
According to Magna representatives, this initiative includes the development and utilization of advanced technologies. The designed product will be demonstrated to the ordering party for estimation in 2021. Here Magna takes an obligation to tackle the most important challenges of the automotive industry. Curtailing a strong reliance on rare-earth magnets addresses 2 main problems, thereby contributing to shifting to electrification – supply chain sourcing and costs.
