EVO Electric
New technology that's helping vehicles go electric
Having created a technology it believes will improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of hybrid and electric vehicles, EVO Electric needed the funds to support the testing and development. The Carbon Trust Incubator helped provide this - and the credibility to seek.
The challenge
Hybrid and electric vehicles offer a more energy efficient alternative to conventional models - enabling vehicles to use the internal combustion engine for longer runs, but harness electric power for stop-go urban travelling. But the cost and time it takes to build these vehicles is still a problem for manufacturers.
EVO Electric is applying the research it has done in the area of axial flux machines to help make hybrids a viable option for mass production. "Hybrids at the moment are too heavy, too expensive and too complex," explains EVO's Chief Technology Officer Dr Michael Lampérth. "I believe our technology can allow us to build them simpler, cheaper and lighter."
To help it develop its solution, EVO Electric joined the Carbon Trust Incubator. As well as providing financial support for independent testing, we helped the company with business planning and landscaping of intellectual property. Being on the Incubator has also demonstrated to investors that the company - and its idea - is worth backing.
The approach
EVO Electric was established to commercialise axial flux motor and generator technology developed at Imperial College London. Axial flux makes greater use of available surface area for cooling, enabling higher currents and therefore higher continuous power and torque than conventional (radial flux) machines.
Through innovative design and use of material, EVO has developed a high power, robust design suitable for a wide range of applications - including a hybrid drivetrain. EVO is now trialling its design in taxis, to test the capability. Taxis spend a lot of time in traffic, so will potentially see the most benefit from using the hybrid system.
Finance and Planning Director Peter Beynon believes their solution will significantly benefit the industry - and help it improve its environmental performance. "EVO offers original equipment manufacturers a low-cost way to develop electric and hybrid drivetrains - improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions."