As part of its involvement in a European initiative to research more cost-effective hybrid powertrains, Ricardo has developed a new 48V electric motor which it says offers an increase in power density of up to 50% compared with current e-machines.
The design and testing of this new Ricardo 48V e-motor and inverter was carried out as a part of the company’s contribution to the European COmpetitiveness in Commercial Hybrid and AutoMotive PowertrainS (ECOCHAMPS) project.
The project focused on the hybridization requirements of a range of vehicles from ‘C’ and ‘B’ class passenger cars to light delivery trucks, city buses and long haul heavy-duty trucks. The project delivered five demonstrator vehicles.
“Affordable hybridization for mass market vehicle applications is likely to be key to achieving future fuel economy and CO2 emissions targets,” commented Thomas Gutwald, MD of Ricardo Innovations.
“Ricardo is pleased to have been involved in the ECOCHAMPS research initiative. The new Ricardo 48V e-motor and inverter 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.”