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Axial flux technology put to the test


Renault’s electric Twizy is trialling a more efficient electric motor configuration


R


eal-world efficiency testing of Saietta Group’s AFT 140 electric motor has shown that the technology can dra-


matically improve the driving range of lightweight electric vehicles (EVs). The tests, which were led and overseen by independent Dutch engineering consultancy, New Electric, saw two Renault Twizy demon- strator vehicles go head-to-head in compari- son assessments on public roads in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The first Twizy was a


standard Renault model while the second was upgraded to Saietta’s AFT 140 electric motor. All other systems and components were left untouched, meaning that the only difference between the Twizy sib- lings was the original motor in one test vehi- cle and the AFT 140 motor in the other EV.


Efficiency gain /// The testing took place


across two days in a range of weather, tem- perature and traffic con- ditions on varying road surfaces. The engineer- ing team at New Electric concluded that the Saietta AFT 140 Twizy was on average at least 10 per cent more efficient than the standard Renault Twizy. The findings open the way to tremendous opportunities in electrifying a broad range of lightweight vehicles with an advanced drive- train that is cost effective, offers optimal power and has an enhanced real-world driving range. The ramifications of this will see the likes


of motorbikes, mopeds and quadricycles such as the Twizy — used primarily in towns and city centres across the world — become zero-emis-


10 /// Test House Directory Extra \\\ 2021


sion vehicles that meet all legislative and cus- tomer requirements.


Comprehensive test programme /// The Saietta AFT 140 Twizy and standard Re-


nault Twizy model were assessed across mul- tiple drive cycle tests in Amsterdam, ensuring a comprehensive test programme was com- pleted. Each Twizy was fitted with a laptop that processed data from the Sevcon controller in-


well during low speeds and constant stop/start conditions, making the technology ideal for inner-city mobility. It is also very adept in converting kinetic energy back into the battery pack during braking. “We closely assessed the two Twizy EVs and,


having completed the programme, I can con- clude that the Saietta AFT 140 motor is a good fit for a vehicle such as the Twizy and its po- tential to create sustainable mobility in con- gested city centres has few limits,” says Anne Kloppenborg, director at New Electric.


Axial flux


technology /// The fully sealed AFT 140 is the first liquid-cooled axial flux motor from Saietta to go into pro- duction. The unique de- sign provides good performance with high torque density at low voltage and is particu- larly efficient on urban duty cycles. The AFT 140 motor is


compact and very lightweight and has been rigorously de- signed for high automa- tion in volume


Axial flux technology in-wheel motors were used to prove their efficiency in side-by-side Twizy tests in Amsterdam


terface through a CAN-bus connection. This provided the New Electric engineering team with performance data coupled to a time and date of testing ‘stamp’ — information that was later used to synchronise and independently verify the results. In addition to increasing efficiency by 10 per


cent and therefore real-world driving range, the New Electric team also concluded that Sai- etta’s AFT 140 motor performs exceptionally


production. The motor in the Twizy vehicle is an in-wheel variant of axial flux technology, demonstrating the full flexibility and modu- larity of Saietta’s profuct. “Internally we always knew how our axial


flux technology would perform, but for it to be validated by a respected and neutral engi- neering powerhouse like New Electric is proof to the wider industry of our position in this mobility field,” says Wicher Kist of Saietta Group. “To boost a battery electric vehicle driving


range by 10 per cent through simply swapping the electric motor is highly impressive.” THDx


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