Leading international provider of modern drive technologies and solutions for e-mobility, Vitesco Technologies, has of late begun also focusing on electrification in the two-wheel segment.
At the recently concluded motorcycle trade fair, EICMA, the company presented its wide range of innovations in two-wheeled vehicles, ranging from all-electric drives for light motorcycles and scooters to the demo version of a hybrid motorcycle and other electrification solutions to emission-reducing systems for a wide range of two-wheeled and Powersports applications.
The technologies are broadly classified as the 48-volt system designed for a performance range of 3kW to 7kW, a hybrid system that enables all-electric driving and enhances driving pleasure, Powertrain Domain Control Unit, a wide range of electrification from start-stop functionality to high-performance drives, an integrated starter generator control unit (ISG) and the EMR3 (Electronics Motor Reducer 3rd Generation) integrated axle drive.
Of all the technologies exhibited and demonstrated at EICMA, how many of them can be introduced in India in the immediate future, since the country is also catching up with the global trends to some extent.
Speaking to Mobility Outlook, Anurag Garg, Managing Director & Country Head, Vitesco Technologies, India, said that any of the products can be launched in India depending on the customer need, requirements related to regulation or otherwise.
Electrification
The electrification journey is evolving rapidly, predominantly in Asia, where motorised two-wheelers are necessary for everyday mobility. This trending share of electric two-wheeled vehicles is increasing in India as well. This development is being fuelled by various measures by the individual countries, from stricter emission regulations to the establishment of environmental zones in cities, the increase in gasoline prices and general subsidies. While electrification in all markets has previously extended almost exclusively to two-wheeled vehicles with less than 3kW output, there is now an increasing trend toward e-motorcycles and scooters with higher performance due to falling battery costs. As a result, Vitesco expects the demand for electric two-wheelers with an output of 3kW to 7kW to increase sharply worldwide, he said.
Talking about the prospects for the remaining technologies, he said the company integrates innovative and efficient powertrain system solutions for today and tomorrow and for vehicles of all kinds. With smart principles like scalability and modularity, the company covers the requirements of cars, commercial vehicles, two-wheeled transport, and new mobility concepts. Thanks to intelligent systems and components for electric, hybrid, and combustion engines, it makes powertrains clean, efficient, and affordable. The product portfolio includes electric drives, electronic control systems, sensors, actuators, and innovative exhaust gas cleaning.
Electric Vehicles
The electric vehicle (EV) market is still evolving, and the company is studying the requirements and the products it is developing will be scalable and also adaptable to various power ranges as well as modes of operations – air-cooled/water-cooled, he said, adding that the development has already started. First samples will be available middle of next year for evaluation. “We will also be ready with a demo vehicle by Q2CY22 for the market to experience,” he added.
Hybrid Motorcycles
Asked about the market for hybrid motorcycles in India and the key driving force for these kinds of 2Ws, Garg said, “We are evaluating the market as this provides an alternative option to fully electric, where either the market needs or technical requirements creates constraints to use of BEV. Some customers still would want to have a feel of an ICE motorcycle, range anxiety, and de-risking in the event of non-availability of power while on the drive. Hence a hybrid provides an alternative subject to the cost competitiveness of the application.
48V Starter Generator
On the possible applications with a belt-driven 48V starter generator, he mentioned that this system has been developed for cost-efficient mass hybridisation. Functions such as advanced stop-start, coasting and electric boost can save up to 10% of CO2 emissions.
In a mild-hybrid application, the 48V electric motor replaces the 12V alternator and is directly mounted to the engine through a belt. The company’s BSG system consists of an electric motor with an integrated inverter. The technology is suitable for BEV, PHEV, Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle and 2-Wheeler & Powersports electric vehicles.
The system offers several benefits such as hybrid-cooled (air-cooled e-machine, water-cooled inverter) BSG including the inverter, permanent magnet synchronous reluctance machine, 6-phases, generates CO₂ benefits and drivability improvements and IP2X / IP6K9K compliant. Besides, it does not require any service.
To a question on the prospects for the company’s EMR (Electronics Motor Reducer) in India, Garg said the high voltage axle drive is a highly integrated electric drive system. It consists of a permanent-magnet synchronous e-motor, an inverter, and a reducer. The axle drive is compact in size, has a low weight and is an all-in-one solution, thus reducing integration efforts for the vehicle manufacturer. The axle drive has been developed for high volume market EVs. However, it can be used for BEV and passenger cars due to the integration of motor, inverter and reducer and high-power density for compact packaging. In addition, there is no need for connectors and cables between the motor and inverter.
M4REK
In the M4REK module, the throttle valve is no longer operated by Bowden cable; instead, it is electronically controlled, otherwise called ‘drive-by-wire. On the kind of customisation needed to apply the M4REK in India, Garg opined that the application ranges from single-cylinder, 4-stroke engines from 250cc up to 500cc for middle-range motorcycles, scooters, and ATV. Moreover, Vitesco Technologies is already developing drive-in specific customer projects for volume production. “We can customise the product as per specific requirements of our customers, keeping in view with all the regulatory requirements,” he said.
Are there possibilities to make the technologies showcased at EICMA cost-competitive through the frugal engineering capabilities of Vitesco Technologies India? Garg said, “Our commitment to clean air is fully aligned to local legislative norms. Apart from that, our ‘in the market, for the market,’ strategy ensures that our powertrain technologies are affordable for local markets. For the same reason, we have a dedicated R&D centre to support that mission, which not just works for local solutions, but also aligns closely with our HQ in Germany,” he concluded.