Lightweight Electric Motors - YASA Motors
(Isis - 1508)
In September 2009, YASA Motors secured £1.45 million from private investor Seven Spires Investments to take lightweight electric motors developed at the University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science to market.
Isis had been working with the inventors on the commercialisation of the project since 2007, filing initial patent applications, building the business plan and working to secure both management and investment.
YASA Motors has since made significant process, achieving product of more than £100k in its first six months. The company’s CEO, Nick Farrant, says he expects to sell over 1,000 motors to the automotive market in 2010.
Dr Malcolm McCulloch, head of Oxford’s Electrical Power Group and Dr Tim Woolmer, then a PhD student in the group, originally devised the electric motor for the 2008 Morgan Lifecar.
In December 2008, Isis worked with the inventors to successfully bid for £75,000 in funding from the Oxford University Challenge Seed Fund to build prototypes. These are now being used in customer vehicles for test and evaluation.
Dr McCulloch said: “With Oxford YASA Motors we’ll be able to deliver a range of commercial products that will help the UK launch itself as a premier destination for electric vehicle development.
“The motor can achieve high torque for its weight, which ultimately means a smaller and cheaper motor. Torque is the twisting force that accelerates the car, and the peak torque we’re aiming for is 500Nm from 25kg.
“We’ve optimised the materials and design, so that the motor is lighter and more effective, giving half the volume and twice the torque for the same power output. This electric motor technology will reduce fuel consumption and also help us move away from fossil-based fuels to alternative energies.
“Over 50 per cent of the world’s electricity powers electric motors, so it’s extremely important to improve the efficiency of motors. This motor can be adapted to achieve better performance in a whole range of applications.”
Farrant adds that the YASA Motor is direct-drive, meaning car manufacturers can reduce weight and improve the range of electric and hybrid vehicles by removing heavy gearbox and differential components from the transmission.
YASA Motors was the 65th spin-out from the University of Oxford.
Lead Researchers: Dr Malcolm McCulloch, Dr Tim Woolmer
University Department: Department of Engineering Science
Date of Disclosure to Isis: 2003
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