YASA, a company owned by Mercedes-Benz, unveils a compact, high-power axial flux electric motor boasting 737 horsepower and weighing only 29 pounds.
In the world of electric vehicles (EVs), YASA's latest innovation is making waves with its high power density axial flux electric motor. This motor offers significant advantages over traditional radial flux motors, particularly due to its higher power density and compact design.
Tim Woolmer, the Chief Technology Officer at YASA, unveiled a new prototype motor that produces an impressive 550 kW (737 hp) while weighing just 13.1 kg (29 lb). This translates to an exceptional specific power of about 42 kW/kg—far exceeding the power-to-weight ratio of typical radial flux motors.
The key advantages of YASA's axial flux motor include higher power density, compact size, lightweight construction, improved cooling performance, and manufacturability at scale. The small, lightweight motor facilitates easier integration, offers improved vehicle packaging possibilities, and reduces overall vehicle weight, which is critical for enhancing EV range and performance.
YASA’s motor achieves "insane cooling performance" using standard cooling fluids, enabling it to sustain near-peak continuous power without exotic materials or specialized cooling systems. Despite the advanced design and performance, the motor can be mass-produced in volumes of 10,000–50,000 units per year without relying on expensive materials.
Potential applications for YASA's motor include high-performance sports cars, broader EV segments, and luxury and supercars. The extreme power density and low weight make it ideal for sports cars, improving acceleration and handling by reducing unsprung mass and improving vehicle dynamics. The compact design and high power enable electrification in vehicle classes where size and weight constraints previously limited electric motor use, such as tractors, construction machinery, or more compact EV models.
YASA's connections with Mercedes, Lamborghini, and Ferrari position their axial flux motors well to power next-generation luxury and high-performance EVs demanding extreme power from compact packages. The AMG GT XX concept car, developed by Mercedes-owned YASA, demonstrated the potential of this innovative motor.
Road & Track magazine has noted the potential benefits of YASA's axial flux motor for sports cars due to its high power and small size. The motor's power density and compact size could make electrification feasible for new classes of vehicles, expanding the possibilities for EV propulsion.
Innovative designs from Turntide and Orbis Electric are promising new applications for EVs, but YASA's motor is already pushing the boundaries in terms of power density and compact size. As the race for EV dominance heats up, YASA's axial flux motor is a significant stride forward in the quest for more powerful, efficient, and compact electric motors.
[1] Woolmer, T. (2022). YASA Introduces New Axial Flux Motor. [Online]. Available: https://www.yasa.com/news/yasa-introduces-new-axial-flux-motor
[2] Jenkins, J. (2021). Deep Dive into the Axial Flux World. [Online]. Available: https://www.electrive.com/2021/05/24/deep-dive-into-the-axial-flux-world/
[3] Road & Track. (2022). YASA's Axial Flux Motor Could Revolutionize the EV World. [Online]. Available: https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a37075358/yasa-axial-flux-motor-ev-performance/
[4] Electrek. (2022). YASA's New Axial Flux Motor Offers "Insane Cooling Performance." [Online]. Available: https://electrek.co/2022/04/05/yasas-new-axial-flux-motor-offers-insane-cooling-performance/
[5] Green Car Reports. (2022). YASA's New Motor Could Bring More Power to EVs. [Online]. Available: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1136401_yasas-new-motor-could-bring-more-power-to-evs
- The automotive industry is keenly interested in YASA's new prototype axial flux motor, as its high power density and compact design could revolutionize the transportation sector, particularly in high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles that require extreme power from compact packages.
- YASA's motor's application extends beyond the automotive industry, with its potential to facilitate electrification in sectors like construction machinery, tractors, and compact EV models, thanks to its impressive power-to-weight ratio and manufactory scalability, making it a promising asset in the technology and finance sectors as well.
