In light of the aforementioned results and outcomes of the project, it is clear that it contributes to fostering the already ongoing uptake of electric powertrain technologies in the automotive sector; hence this project is fully in line with the objectives set in the Paris Agreement. The progress beyond current technologies is demonstrated at both technical and economic levels. From a technological point of view the motors improve the performance of the benchmark motors that have been used in the automotive sector in the last years. From an economic point of view, these superior performances do not entail a cost increase: taking into account the economic dimension of the challenge since the very beginning of the project has allowed the Consortium to establish synergies between the different motor technologies, and at the same time to ensure that all solutions are scalable to take advantage of economies of scale. As a result, all Key Performance Indicators that were set prior to the beginning of the project have been accomplished. Needless to say, the materialization of the manufacturing scenarios envisioned in the project’s exploitation plan (either 30k or 100k units/year) would mean significant job creation.
Furthermore, the implications of the motor technologies developed within the project are not merely technological or economical. All motor technologies are rare-earth free, hence from an environmental perspective they are much cleaner that the current prevailing technologies, which are based on the use of rare earth magnets, as demonstrated in the Life Cycle Assessment. Similarly, all components and materials included in the motors are relatively easy to recycle or reuse, which contributes to the circularity of the motors by easing the dismantling and disposal stages.
Finally, it is considered that this project is fully aligned with the vision and the industrial strategy of the European manufacturing sector, as it generated new knowledge and capabilities ready to be used by industrial stakeholders. Besides, the variety of technologies developed should support the creation and/or growth of the e-drive value chains in Europe. And finally, the absence of rare earths in the motors clearly reduces the dependence of the European electric motors value chains on external material imports, avoiding the price volatility and supply threats associated to this kind of materials, therefore contributing to the long-term stability of the European e-drive market.
