Siemens Debuts Integrated Motor and Inverter for EVs

Siemens AG says its electric motor with built-in DC-to-AC inverter saves cost, reduces weight and takes up less space.

The Siemens design featured a shared water-based cooling system for the electric motor and inverter. The company estimates the integrated units occupy about 7 liters less space than conventional two-box layouts. The design also eliminates wiring and several assembly steps to the inverter, which changes direct current from the battery to alternating current for the motor.

Siemens has verified the performance of its system, dubbed Sivetec MSA 3300, in a lab by simulating typical electric vehicle load curves. The company reports "considerable" interest in the design.