British electric mobility Saietta Group has launched its new mass-producible Axial Flux Technology e-motors onto the market.
Saietta's Axial Flux Technology (AFT) electric motors have been shown to provide greater efficiency while also being light, compact and easily integrated into a wide range of e-mobility applications.
As WhichEV reported months ago, Saietta’s lightweight and efficient motor has set world speed records for electrically powered aircraft and boats, as well as launching the first manned electric helicopter flight and powering the first Isle of Man TT Zero victory.
Affordable electric propulsion and battery systems are key to reducing EV cost and enabling widespread adoption. This is an essential step for many emerging economies and cities that are gripped by chronic air pollution, especially in Asia.
Within these regions, the most common forms of transport are lightweight two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles, which are used by millions of people daily. The fastest way to tackle the emissions crisis is to provide viable electric motor alternatives for small, internal combustion engine powered vehicles, according to Wicher Kist, Chief Executive of Saietta Group plc.
“We recognise just how critical accessible electrification for lightweight vehicles will be in achieving these aims and we are addressing key market challenges by developing new, leading-edge electric propulsion technologies,” he said. “Our AFT motors are compact and light while delivering high torque and efficiency at low voltage. This will enable vehicle manufacturers to reduce the required battery size for a given range and, in turn, use less rare materials in their construction.”
For their size and weight, the AFT motors provide substantial torque and can sustain high power output through the addition of a simple water-cooling system. Perhaps most importantly, they have been specifically designed for highly automated production to further drive down cost.
Saietta’s rigorous testing programme saw a fleet of two-, three- and four-wheeled demonstrator vehicles retrofitted with the AFT. Following the tests on the 20 miles of private roads at Saietta’s location in Oxfordshire, the AFT has been fully optimised for the lightweight EV spectrum.
The company has also addressed the motor and controller integration issue by developing the AFT to be integrated with a broad range of off-the-shelf controllers. In fact, every vehicle in the AFT test fleet uses a different controller, further demonstrating the adaptability of the e-motor.