In-wheel electric drive for E-commercial vehicles

Project Information

GEM E-drive

Grant agreement ID: 663156

DOI

10.3030/663156

Project closed

EC signature date 23 December 2014

Start date 1 January 2015

End date 30 June 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

GEM MOTORS, RAZVOJ IN IZDELAVA INOVATIVNIH ELEKTROMOTORJEV DOO
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GEM E-drive (In-wheel electric drive for E-commercial vehicles)

Reporting period: 2015-01-01 to 2015-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

GEM motors has developed an innovative multi-phase electric motor with permanent magnets that allows the integration of the motor and the motor controller into the wheel. Its cost-effective design is based on patent pending modular technology. GEM motors’ low power product range (2 to 6 kW) is already close to series production and is being validated with several applications in their operational environment.
The main goal of the action was to evaluate the suitability of the GEM in-wheel technology for higher power levels up to 30kW and its applicability for the e-mobility market of electric buses and electric commercial vehicles.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Potential markets for the new product were analysed. The customer needs were evaluated through direct contact to vehicle producers resulting in a very precise target market definition. The consequently developed market entry strategy is based on lean startup principles and describes the necessary steps towards GEM motors’ placement on the global market.
The technical evaluation included numerical simulations and prototyping of the up-scaled motors. The implementation of extensive tests and various conceptual designs verified the technical feasibility.
Operational aspects were evaluated towards compatibility with the existing production strategy. The analysis showed a resulting time-to-market of around 2.5 years.
The potential financial benefit was calculated with a full scale financial planning tool based on conservative production price estimation and market share projections. The general market entry strategy could be verified and the economic feasibility confirmed.
On the base of the existing intellectual property protection a strategy for the up-scaled technology was elaborated to secure GEM motors’ freedom to operate.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The main objective of up-scaling of GEM motors’ technology to higher power levels was evaluated with positive outcome. The planned diversification of the product range is thus very advisable and the subsequent steps towards a placement on the market should be taken.
The technology can fill the existing gap on the market for in-wheel motors in the power range 7.5 to 30 kW. Through the modular design approach and the cost-effective modification process a great variety of customer needs can be met, resulting in an accelerated electrification of the targeted commercial vehicle and bus market. For the company GEM motors and the cooperating partners, extensive growth with new employment of over 150 people is expected.

GEM motors electric in-wheel drive