Ashwoods targets hybrid and electric sector

Ashwoods Electric Motors Ltd has developed a range of motors for highway and off-highway vehicles, as well as industrial applications.

The company, which powers the UK’s largest hybrid van fleet, is looking to expand its global customer base by launching the low cost axial flux permanent magnet motor at Engine Expo 2013 in Stuttgart. It is now seeking partners to produce the motor under licence.

Bob Beckwith, global applications manager for Ashwoods Electric Motors, said, “We have harnessed creative design to innovative use of materials, in order to drive down costs and improve durability. This has created a really attractive product range for today’s growing hybrid and electric vehicle sectors.”

The motor is now in full production at Ashwoods’ UK assembly facility in Exeter, Devon. According to the company the range is more than 94% efficient, and can operate from 24V to 400V and produce 2kW to 60kW of continuous power. It includes a new cooling system, developed in-house, designed for advanced heat dissipation.

Weighing 19kg, the E-marked motor can be integrated into a variety of applications and operate with or without feedback devices, depending on the level of control required, said the company.

The company was born out of a need for a better electric motor in the Ashwoods Hybrid Transit, the UK’s best-selling hybrid light commercial vehicle. Manufacturer Ashwoods Automotive received funding from the UK’s Technology Strategy Board to develop a range of fully scalable electric motors.

Bob added: “Ashwoods has more than 5 million miles of real world hybrid vehicle data, collected from some of the UK’s most challenging fleets. This unique experience helped us to create a motor that truly marries the core needs of durability, cost and efficiency.

“With a range of power options from two to sixty kilowatts, this motor can meet the needs of almost all off-highway equipment as well as road-going vehicles.”

Engine Expo 2013 takes place in the Messe Stuttgart, Germany, from 4 – 6 June.