Xtrac Will Have Produced Almost 100 Prototype Hybrid and EV Transmissions by End of Year

9 July 2009

Transmission technology specialist Xtrac will have produced almost 100 prototype transmissions for hybrid and electric vehicles by the end of the year, according to Xtrac development director Cliff Hawkins in a presentation to Members of the UK’s Parliament.

Xtrac development director Cliff Hawkins pictured with electric and military vehicle gearboxes. Click to enlarge.

The UK-based manufacturer showcased its transmission technology to Members of Parliament from the House of Lords and Commons prior to an annual awards ceremony organized by the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), and emphasized a new gearbox developed for electric vehicles.

With the increasing focus on the energy efficiency and durability of electric powertrains, Xtrac has applied many of the high precision techniques learnt in motor racing to design transmission systems suitable for electric drives, and most importantly has successfully demonstrated very rapid product design and development cycle times. More usually associated with F1 and the supply of components to other race formulas, Xtrac sees the demand for prototype gearboxes for electric vehicles showing no signs of abatement.

Lessons learnt in the efficient design and manufacture of components has given Xtrac’s electric vehicle applications a definite advantage of the optimum vehicle package. The space available to house all the batteries and other essential driveline components is at a real premium in electric and hybrid vehicles; essentially requiring the same set of skills as packaging an engine and transmission into a race car. We just happen to be very good at packaging tight spaces.

By the end of the year we will be getting close to producing 100 prototype transmissions for hybrid and electric vehicles. These are mostly destined for technology evaluation, ultimately for high volume road cars and with all manner of innovative powertrain configurations.

—Cliff Hawkins