Automotive Expotrs January 2023

Equipmake unveils
high-power-dense
e-axle for makers
of performance EV
Leading automotive electrification
specialist Equipmake launched the
Ampere-220 e-axle: a compact, lightweight,
high-power electric drive system for
manufacturers of high-performance
electric vehicles.
Debuted at LCV-Cenex, it combines one
of the most advanced 3D-printed electric
motors in the world with all power
electronics, including the company’s own
silicon carbide inverter, and an integrated
transmission system in a compact unit that
directly powers the vehicle’s axle, bringing
a step change in off-the-shelf performance
for electric sports cars and supercars.
At its heart, the e-axle features the Ampere
electric motor, which draws on both
Equipmake’s world-leading expertise in
electric motors - featuring a spoke rotor
design which has recently also featured
in the Ariel HIPERCAR in the form of
Equipmake’s APM motor - and pioneering
knowledge in additive manufacturing and
thermal engineering from Bristol-based
HiETA.
Extremely lightweight yet efficient and
cost-effective, Ampere has peak power
of 220kW and a maximum motor speed
of 30,000rpm. Weighing just under 20kg,
it offers power density of 11kW per kg –
more than twice that of a conventional
electric motor. The key to its performance
is its combination of Equipmake’s spoke
design with additive manufacturing,
allowing Ampere’s metal structure to
be 3D-printed, rather than milled from
a solid billet. Bringing many advantages,
firstly, metal is only put where it is
needed. Secondly, thermally efficient thin
walls and optimised fine surface details
are combined directly with the motor’s
structure, replacing multi-part assemblies
with a single, complex architecture that has
exceptional cooling ability, is lightweight,
has low inertia and allows for greatly
increased rotational speed.
Making its debut in the Ampere-220 e-axle,
the advanced electric motor is combined
with all necessary power electronics,
including Equipmake’s high-performance
silicon carbide-based inverter, and an
integrated transmission system too,
resulting in a
state-of-the-art, highly compact and
lightweight electric drive system that
is ready to be integrated into a highperformance
electric vehicle.
Debuted in twin-motor specification,
Ampere-220 e-axle offers 440kW peak
power per axle with a total unit weight of
just 85kg. Equipmake can also develop a
single-motor
e-axle application with 220kW of peak
power per axle. The Ampere-220 e-axle is
designed, engineered, and manufactured
at Equipmake’s headquarters in Snetterton,
Norfolk, where the company provides the
complete electric vehicle solution, offering
everything from motors to fully electrified
platforms, supporting primarily the
automotive and aerospace sectors.
Ian Foley, Equipmake CEO, said:
“Equipmake has always been at the
forefront of innovation in electric motors,
with our APM range offering class-leading
power densities thanks to their compact,
lightweight designs. Ampere showcases
the next leap, and combined with our own
power electronics, including our silicon
carbide inverter, and transmission system,
we have created the Ampere-220 e-axle.
With such a huge amount of performance
in a compact, lightweight electric drive
unit, one that is also ISO 26262-compliant
and ASIL-D ready, Ampere-220 e-axle
provides the total off-the-shelf highperformance
electric solution for
manufacturers of electric sports cars
and supercars. It further underlines
Equipmake’s position as a leading provider
of state-of-the-art electrification systems to
the automotive industry.”
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