Drive System Design has unveiled plans to expand its test facilities as demand for EV powertrains continues to increase. The automotive engineering consultancy has pledged further investment to expand its electrified powertrain capability, enabling DSD to design, test and develop entire EV powertrains.
With the UK-based firm already possessing the ability to design and control 12V actuation systems, the on-going recruitment will allow development on 48V and high voltage traction systems.
In a move that will enable the consultancy to generate concept designs and to develop final powertrain solutions, DSD will add a 300kw, 800v battery emulator as well as two loaded test rigs to the existing test facility. This is in addition to an expected recruitment growth of over 40% in the last 12 months.
John Morton, engineering director at DSD, says that the new investment helps the company to keep up with changing industry demands. “Electrification is the industry’s chosen route to improve CO2 emissions, and the most effective way to implement this is with a high degree of integration of the different elements of the electrified powertrain.
“By building on our existing experience and expanding our electrical test facilities, we are able to support the growing industry demand for this type of work.”
Morton went on to explain how he sees the future of the company. “As the industry explores the use of multi-speed transmissions on EVs, the e-machine control requirements will become more demanding.
“We’re accustomed to meeting much greater control challenges than those presented by a typical traction motor because of our existing experience. This means we can apply existing expertise to good effect in both familiar yet challenging, or new and innovative areas.”