The main focus of the center will be on the development of high-efficiency, light-weight electric motors, inverters and energy storage systems.

Electric vehicles are at an interesting phase in their development, where significant improvements can be made by taking a clean sheet of paper approach to a number of systems, particularly the power electronics and energy storage systems. That’s exactly what we will be doing here, with a focus on delivering the safety, durability and affordability needed for the next generation of volume production vehicles.

—Managing Director Neil Heslington

Based at the company’s technical center in Staffordshire (UK), the new facility will create 44 jobs developing low carbon technologies for the automotive and other industries. As well as employing new staff, Zytek will step-up its training for existing personnel. Topics will range from the latest technologies and analytical techniques to test procedures, with some courses leading to qualifications through partnering academic institutions.

Zytek’s own investment will also strengthen the company’s analytical facilities, particularly in thermal characterization and efficiency analysis, which it believes are key areas of expertise for size, cost and weight reduction.

Zytek Automotive has designed and integrated electric drive systems for a wide range of European and US vehicle manufacturers. The company is currently building high performance electric drivetrains from 25kW -70kW and has drives of 100kW and more in development to meet growing demand for zero emissions light commercial vehicles and high-performance passenger cars. Its UK facility can integrate up to 6,000 E drives a year in batches as low as 100.