The eDrive Module
The GKN eDrive module integrates a water-cooled electric motor and inverter within a single-speed eAxle reduction gearbox. It will measure 300 mm high by 325 mm wide (11.8” x 12.8”) and weigh 54 kg (119 lbs). The eDrive will generate a maximum of 65 kW of power and deliver up to 2000 Nm of torque to the rear wheels.
GKN already provides solutions for a range of auto manufacturers’ plug-in hybrids, including the Porsche 918 Spyder, the BMW i8 and the Volvo XC90 T8.
“Automakers increasingly want complete eDrive systems from suppliers, rather than sourcing the different elements from different companies,” said chief executive of GKN Driveline’s eDrive business Peter Moelgg. “This is the first all-in-one eDrive system to replace external wiring with a bus bar and to eliminate unnecessary mechanical interfaces. The result is an eDrive system with higher power density that is simpler to install."
A New Generation of Vehicles
Consumers are starting to see the benefits of low-emission vehicles like hybrids and electrics, and auto manufacturers would be smart to position themselves at the forefront of the low-emission trend. GKN Driveline believes the eDrive module does exactly that.
"A new generation of vehicles is making hybridization integral to platform strategies,” said GKN Driveline chief executive Phil Swash. “These complex drivelines require the higher levels of system integration that GKN eAxle electric drive modules deliver. By pioneering the development of these systems, GKN is positioned to help automakers turn electric propulsion into exciting new hybrid all-wheel-drive experiences."
Learn more about the next generation of vehicles in Vision Processing for Next-Gen Autonomous Vehicles.