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As electric vehicle manufacturers race to improve driving range and charging speeds, a significant advancement in a core EV component – the electric motor – is emerging from China, potentially reshaping the entire market.

Breakthrough in Axial Flux Motors

Researchers from Pangoo Power and the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have announced a significant innovation in axial flux motors. These motors are considered one of the most promising directions for future electric vehicles. The engineering team focused on overcoming a key limitation of axial flux motors: their performance under high load and extreme rotational speeds.

The Role of a New Magnetic Material

A novel magnetic material has been developed that retains its properties exceptionally well under high temperatures and extreme conditions. According to the developers, this material enhances the motor's efficiency and power output. Crucially, it also paves the way for mass production of this advanced technology.

This new motor design is reportedly half the size of traditional electric motors with comparable power, capable of reaching speeds of up to 18,000 revolutions per minute.

The Future of Electric Vehicles

Engineers believe these motors could find applications not only in electric cars but also in robots, air taxis, and other high-tech vehicles. If these findings are validated in practice, it represents a significant step towards more compact and powerful motors for future electric mobility.

Why Axial Flux Motors are the Future

Most current electric vehicles utilize radial electric motors, a design used for decades. The primary advantage of an axial flux motor lies in its ability to deliver high power within a smaller and lighter package. This frees up installation space, reduces the vehicle's overall weight, and boosts efficiency.

While the concept of axial flux motors is rooted in experiments by English physicist Michael Faraday over two centuries ago, their development was hindered by challenges in high-speed operation. Only with the advent of modern magnetic materials and manufacturing technologies have engineers been able to revisit and adapt this concept for mass-market vehicles.

Who Uses Axial Flux Motors?

This technology is already being implemented in some of the most expensive and powerful automobiles. The British company YASA is a notable developer of such motors, with their designs featured in supercars from brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-AMG.

A New Competition in the Automotive Industry

Many experts compare the current state of axial flux motors to that of lithium-ion batteries 15-20 years ago. The technology has proven its effectiveness, but reducing costs and scaling up production are necessary for widespread adoption. Currently, the competition among automakers is shifting towards developing more efficient electric motors rather than solely focusing on battery capacity.

Humanoid Robots and Air Taxis

The potential applications of this new technology extend beyond electric cars to fields like humanoid robotics and air taxis. In robotics, these motors enable compact drivetrains without sacrificing power. For air taxis, where every kilogram of weight is critical, such motors are a vital technology for future aviation.

It seems inevitable that these motors will appear in mass-produced vehicles; the only question is who will be the first to make them widely available and affordable. This could mark the next major leap in the evolution of electric vehicles.

This information was reported by Infohub.kz.