Magna Electronics and BRUSA Collaborate on Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Applications
04 March 2009
Magna Electronics, an operating unit of Magna International Inc., and BRUSA Elektronik AG, a developer and supplier of high-efficient power electronics and electric motors, have formed a collaboration on electric and hybrid vehicle applications.
This collaboration enhances both companies’ positions in developing and supplying components and systems to the emerging global automotive market for electric and hybrid vehicles. Earlier this week, Magna Steyr introduced the concept mila ev at the Geneva Motor show as a demonstration of its a fully integrated electric vehicle platform which could be used by an OEM as the basis for production-vehicle development of a full battery electric vehicle, or with natural gas, fuel cell or hybrid drive. (Earlier post.)
In October 2008, Magna Electronics acquired BluWav Systems LLC (formerly Wavecrest Laboratories), a developer and supplier of controls, motors and energy-management systems for hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles. (Earlier post.)
Ford is collaborating with Magna International on its new battery electric vehicle targeted for 2011. Magna will provide the BEV electric traction motor, transmission, motor controller, Lithium-ion energy storage system, battery charger and related systems. (Earlier post.)
Switzerland-based BRUSA Elektronik AG develops and manufactures power electronic and drive technology for electrical vehicles. The company’ technology features in a number of new electric vehicle conversions or introductions, including:
Australia-based Energetique introduced a converted Mazda 2—the evMe—powered by a Li-ion battery pack paired with a BRUSA hybrid synchronous motor. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes less than 10s, maximum range is about 250 km (depending on driving style and route) and theoretical maximum speed would be about 180 km/h. To maximize range, the speed is limited to 130 km/h.
Protoscar of Switzerland unveiled its LAMPO sportscar. A fully featured, full-size sports cabriolet, it is equipped with a 200 kW, 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) electric drive by BRUSA. The drive consists of a front and a rear electric motor HSM1-6.17.12 with DMC524 inverter and transaxle gearset, fed by a 25 kWh lithium polymer (LiPo) battery pack. Usable range is more than 200 km.
A parallel full hybrid developed by the Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge (IKA) of the University Aachen that does not only adapt to the driver requests, but also to the static information of the trip (speed profile, altitude profile).
The vehicle was built from a conventional combustion engine vehicle by coupling a BRUSA electric drive to the automated switching gearbox. The complete drive system is now controlled by the adaptive controller which can also take over the complete control of the longitudinal dynamics. By means of the distance controlled cruise control and the superimposed optimization function the vehicle achieves the required speed automatically, accelerates and decelerates optimally.
The vehicle can drive purely electric for a few kilometers. Compared to the original vehicle, not only the acceleration has been improved significantly, but also the fuel consumption in urban areas has been lowered by 15-25%.
The Australia-based Energetique comes with a price of of something like $70,000 for a base car worth about $10,000 converted into an EV. Perhaps it's the BRUSA power train that's to blame... they must have the most rediculous EV parts prices in the world... in the region of $14,000 for a motor or an inveter.
Posted by: Paul | 05 March 2009 at 05:15 AM
I have seen 90 kw motors for the Ranger pickup selling for $3000, so that gives some idea of what the auto makers might pay. I have seen a similar motor at UQM for $25,000, which shows what quantity one limited volume might be.
Let's say the motor is $3000 and the controller is $2000, depending on range the batteries can cost $2000 to $20,000. This is a fairly steep upgrade price to and EV or HEV, when you consider a CNG conversion with compressor could cost about $4000 after rebates.
If we want to reduce imported oil, the CNG conversion is more cost effective and less exotic. Converting the F150 to PHEV may sound good, but when you look at the costs, the CNG conversion is hard to beat.
Posted by: SJC | 11 March 2009 at 01:57 PM