News Release Overview
Compact, Lightweight Direct-Drive System To Make In-Wheel Electric Vehicles Closer To a Production Reality
World-class 2.5 kW/kg power density motor integrated with inverter and brake in a single unit, installed inside wheel
Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. today jointly announced the development a compact, lightweight direct-drive system for the increasingly popular EV segment, which combines the motor, inverter, and brake into a single unit.This enables the installation of the entire system into the wheel, thus moving the world one step closer to a zero-emissions society. The new motor transmits the high drive force necessary to run an EV directly to the wheels, and its lightweight design and world-class 2.5 kW/kg power density significantly limit the weight increase traditionally associated with in-wheel units. Moreover, adopting an in-wheel unit does not require a substantial change to the existing configuration of the suspension and other components. Driveshafts and other indirect mechanisms have been eliminated, allowing motor power to be applied directly to EV operation. This reduces energy loss by 30 percent and increases the range on a single charge compared to existing EVs.
