GKN Automotive joins sustainable eMotor R&D project

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GKN Automotive has joined a €4m European R&D project aiming to develop lower cost, more efficient and power dense permanent magnet eMotors for electric vehicles.

The project will involve a long-term circular strategy for rare earth critical raw materials
The project will involve a long-term circular strategy for rare earth critical raw materials - Image via stock.adobe.com

Named ‘HEFT’ and led by Mondragon University, Spain, the project is funded by the European Commission and includes eight partners from Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. GKN Automotive is joining as a key industrial partner, assuming responsibility for manufacturing and assembly, and ensuring the final eMotor design meets industry needs.

The novel concept of a low cost, high power density and highly efficient recyclable motor for next-generation mass produced electric vehicles includes a set of innovations to the eMotor configuration and materials that will be validated on two variants of the eMotor.

This includes innovations in rotor and stator direct cooling, advanced insulation for high voltage, advanced GBD magnets, epoxy for magnet fixation and composite for motor housing and insulation resin.

According to GKN, these innovations will allow magnets in the eMotor to be smaller in size, contain less rare earth material, and be eligible for reuse and recycling.

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