On the way to spur uptake of electric and hybrid mobility

A major challenge in the automotive industry is to produce a single, integrated drivetrain to work on different classes of hybrid and electric cars and thus meet the growing trend for greater sustainability.

DRIVEMODE is a project aimed at developing a distributed and integrated drivetrain module (IDM), scalable to all types of mass produced electric and hybrid cars, from light and C & D passenger vehicles, to high performance and light duty vehicles.

The project partners have reached a critical point in their research; they have devised a way of integrating a high-speed gearbox (reaching 97% efficiency around nominal points), high-speed motor (75 kW, 100 Nm, more than 20,000 rpm) and SiC inverter (20 kHz switching, 140A rms current) into efficient and cost-effective drivetrain modules for distributed drive. The integrated module's main advantages come from reduced use of materials, simplified OEM installation and optimal synergy between components. In addition the distributed drivetrain concept opens the doors for a single design to serve a variety of vehicles, with improved layout flexibility, control and functionalities.

DRIVEMODE partners met in Nuremberg and Brussels in May 2019 to share the results of each component's design features and to take the project to the next level—manufacturing. The aim here is to achieve 30% increase in specific torque and power, 50% increase in e-motor speed, high voltage (800 V) for material reduction and fast charging and 50% reduction in losses.

To share knowledge and obtain expert insights, DRIVEMODE partners organise joint events and workshops with similar GV-04 projects (ModulED and ReFreeDrive).

Learn more about DRIVEMODE integrated drivetrain module and its components by visiting the resources openly available on the project website.

Provided by iCube Programme