UK-based electric powertrain specialist AVID Technology is working in collaboration with a consortium of six partners, including Jaguar Land Rover, to develop advanced hybrid electric vehicle systems as part of a £20.8-million (US$29-million) R&D project supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre.

AVID’s core expertise is the design of high-performance power electronics and motors used in electric and hybrid vehicle powertrain systems, including pumps, fans, traction systems and battery management. The project will see AVID develop a number of innovative electronic systems and componentry for use in future hybrid powertrain systems to improve vehicle system efficiency.

APC has a number of technology roadmaps for advanced vehicle technologies. The latest roadmap for electric machines is focused broadly on both increasing technical performance and reducing cost in mass market products. Using the APC’s Electric Machine Spoke based at Newcastle University, the new roadmap was built using a targets-based approach, informed by consensus amongst a wide range of industry and academic experts with key targets for cost and power density.

More emphasis has been placed on materials and manufacturing processes reflecting their importance in delivering cost competitive and sustainable solutions. A number of technology evolutions occur after 2025 which reflects the immaturity of the current e-machine automotive mass market and the need for targeted R&D on future applications. The new roadmap also reflects greater alignment with the power electronics roadmap, recognizing that future product developments will lead to greater compatibility and integration.

The 2017 power electronics roadmap was developed separately from the electric machine roadmap resulting in greater granularity with a focus on a broader set of power electronics challenges. Using the APC’s Power Electronics Spoke based at the University of Nottingham, the new roadmap was built using a targets-based approach, informed by consensus amongst a wide range of industry and academic experts with key targets for cost and power density.

Step changes in the 2035 performance targets reflect the opportunities that can be realized through the optimization and integration of wide and ultra-wide band gap semiconductors currently in development. The new roadmap also provides a more detailed focus on supporting technologies and materials (and their evolution) as earlier stage R&D is realised into future applications.

Securing a key role in the project follows several major new contract wins for AVID, which will see the company develop hybrid and electric vehicle powertrain components for a range of major heavy-duty and high-performance vehicle manufacturers.

The annual combined mature production value of the new business is in excess of £150 million (US$210 million) per year.

We have been developing powertrain technology for electric and hybrid vehicles since 2005 and are now seeing that market take off in a huge way. AVID has a proven track record for supporting programmes from concept to production, which is reflected in these prestigious new contract wins. It’s a game changer for us to be working with Jaguar Land Rover on this project.

—Ryan Maughan, Managing Director at AVID Technology

AVID Technology has more than doubled in size in the last two years. Its growth in headcount is set to continue as it seeks to recruit more engineers to meet demand for its technology and research capabilities both nationally and internationally.

During 2017, the business invested more than £2 million (US$2.8 million) in the expansion of its manufacturing and testing capabilities and is now actively seeking to expand the team with new employment opportunities in power electronics and other engineering roles.