Paving the Way for Electromobility

Monday, April 19 2010

Fraunhofer researchers are engineering wheel hub motors, which are integrated into a car's wheels, and could become the accepted drive concept for electric vehicles. The scientists are testing these and several other components on the "Frecc0," their demonstration vehicle.

Working jointly in a multidisciplinary cooperation of 33 Fraunhofer institutes, they are paving the way for future technologies in all areas of electromobility.

One advantage of wheel hub motors is that manufacturers can dispense with the conventional engine bay - the space under the hood or bonnet - since the motors are attached directly to the wheels of the vehicle. This opens up opportunities for car designers when drafting the layout of the vehicle.

By dispensing with the transmission and differential, the mechanical transmission elements suffer no losses or wear and tear. Moreover, the direct drive on each individual wheel may improve the drive dynamic and drive safety.