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Canadian Partners Team Up on Electric Motor Technology
The National Research Council of Canada, Rio Tinto Metal Powders and Hydro-Quebec’s TM4 subsidiary have launched a four-year research program aimed at reducing the cost of electric motors.
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The National Research Council of Canada, Rio Tinto Metal Powders and Hydro-Quebec’s TM4 subsidiary have launched a four-year research program aimed at reducing the cost of electric motors.
The partners note that electric motors are the second-most-expensive component—behind batteries—in electrified vehicle systems. They cite complex manufacturing processes and high-priced materials, such as rare earth elements used in the motors’ permanent magnets, among the cost drivers.
The companies already have worked together to develop a low-cost system that is being integrated into TM4’s Sumo electric motors. The technology uses smaller magnetic components that boosts efficiency and enables a 60% reduction in the number of permanent magnets required, according to the partners. They also are developing advanced iron-powder formulations.
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