ElecTra brings leading edge UK research in Switched Reluctance Electric Machine design and Vehicle Control Unit development, together with world class mechanical powertrain systems design and integration expertise, and a world leading vehicle manufacturer to deliver a breakthrough in electrification of the agricultural vehicle sector. The electrified powertrain will be designed to deliver differentiated performance and flexibility without the need for both rare-earth magnets and copper windings delivering a package which is both cost effective and recyclable at its end of life The system will be widely applicable across vehicle types and markets with its ability to be easily reconfigured. Working closely with CNH International, Semikron, FD Sims and the University of Bath, Advanced Electric Machines Research, Advanced Electric Machines and SR Technology Innovations will accelerate their technologies towards market readiness while ensuring they are focused on meeting all of the requirements of an OEM design verification plan from the earliest stage of design. Building on world class design capabilities and unsurpassed experience in high volume motor manufacturing, ElecTra will enable UK based suppliers to deliver cost effective prototypes and establish supply chains which can support volume production enabling a market opportunity worth over £500M a year.

It is forecast that by 2025 40% of passenger vehicle sales will feature some form of electrification. Risk averse global manufacturers need their supply chain to deliver proven, market ready low carbon technologies to meet rapidly changing consumer demands and legislative requirements. HIPERCAR 2 takes the results of successful R&D projects, progressing five of them from TRL5 to 8, and MRL4 to 6: 1) 35kW microturbine range extender. 2) High power, lightweight, low cost electric motor. 3) Cooled battery system & BMS. 4) High performance inverter & inverter/charger. 5) Lightweight multi-material chassis. The successful integration of the technologies on a single platform will validate performance, durability and manufacturability proving readiness to progress to production. This will create a route to low, medium & high volume markets between 2019-27, delivering significant environmental and economic benefit, using technologies which are IP anchored and manufactured in the UK. The IDP10 HIPERCAR consortium of Ariel, Delta Motorsport and Equipmake is joined by new partners GKN, Johnson Matthey and Semikron

Cities globally are under pressure to improve local air quality and reduce CO2 emissions. This has created a market pull for zero emission buses.However market adoption has been slow as current solutions are too expensive and heavy, mainly due to the cost and size of the battery pack required. The heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) of an electric bus can use as much energy as for traction. By novel integration of the HVAC the energy required and therefore battery capacity can be reduced by 30%. This project will deliver a truly cost effective electric bus via novel integration of the HVAC, and will incorporate a new novel vehicle wiring solution from Potenza Technologies which will simplify the wiring loom significantly. The project is a collaboration which also includes leading traction battery manufacturer Nissan, one of the largest bus manufacturers in Brazil, Agrale, leading power electronics supplier Semikron, UK gear manufacturing company DePe, and bus testing experts CSA Testing.The projects collaborative and specialist sub-contract partners will enable the consortium to get to market with a relaible product in the shortest possible time.

This project aims to develop a direct drive Yokeless And Segmented Armature (YASA) motor that will be ready for volume production in 2014, two years after the successful completion of the project. Research at Oxford University (OU), as part of the TSB funded LIFECar project, resulted in a demonstration YASA motor. It has significantly (2-3 times) higher specific torque than alternative motors at a rating of 500Nm. This enables the removal of the gearbox and differential saving further weight and improving vehicle efficiency. Whilst the innovative YASA machine has been shown to be low in weight, and achieve high efficiencies it is the primary aim of this project to also show that the motor can be manufactured at costs and standards acceptable to the emerging electric and hybrid automotive industry.