Electric vehicles instead of combustion engines – the turnaround in transportation holds great potential for saving fossil fuels and reducing CO2 emissions. Demand for the production of electric cars alone is expected to increase tenfold by 2030. By then, the use of electric vehicles of all kinds is expected to reduce crude oil consumption by almost 3.5 million barrels – that’s around 479,000 tons per day. Electrical steel plays a crucial role in meeting this demand.
After all, between 50 and 100 kg of this soft magnetic material is used to build a drive motor in an electric car, depending on the type of drive and power output. But why electrical steel? Because it is the heart of an electric motor and makes electric cars powerful and energy-efficient.
(Source: voestalpine / Christian Biemann)
(Source: voestalpine / Christian Biemann)
From Linz via Steyr and Debrecen to the world
The material voestalpine AG has developed for electric motor construction combines ultra-thin electrical steel with state-of-the-art coating technology and is now also being used by BMW in the next generation of electric motors. At their plant in Linz (Austria), the electrical steel is processed as slit strip and then used at the BMW plant in Steyr (Austria) for the rotors and stators of the sixth generation (Gen6) of the electric drive train. These premium e-motors are even more efficient than those of the previous generation: the 800-volt Gen6 e-motor, for example, which does not require rare earths thanks to the use of SSM (current-synchronous machine) technology, results in 40% less energy loss, is 10% lighter and significantly quieter than the Gen5 e-motors. The motors manufactured in Steyr are finally integrated into the vehicles at the BMW plant in Debrecen (Hungary).
(Source: voestalpine / Christian Biemann)
(Source: voestalpine / Christian Biemann)
Electromobility: convincing arguments
As a long-standing supplier of e-motor materials and coating technologies, voestalpine AG was once again able to convince BMW with their solution expertise, material know-how and focus on environmental sustainability along the entire supply chain and are moving into the future of electromobility together with the customer.
(Source: voestalpine / Christian Biemann)
(Source: voestalpine / Christian Biemann)
Tech Facts: Gen6 Electric Motor
- Gen6 e-drive concept: 800 volt technology brings changes in the high-voltage battery and in the e-drive and brings new efficiency values compared to the current Gen5 technology
- The Gen6 electric motor itself brings 40% less energy loss and 10% less weight
- The Gen6 electric motor uses SSM technology (current excited synchronous machine), which does not require rare earths.
- Efficiency has been increased through the use of an inverter developed by BMW with SiC (silicon carbide) technology.
- The noise level has also been significantly reduced by optimizing the gearbox.
Electrical steel: high-performance, sustainable, lightweight
isovac® increases the efficiency of the motor because voestalpine AG’s specially alloyed and super-thin electrical steel in combination with innovative coating systems reduces energy losses during motor operation. This can increase the range of electric cars. In addition, electrical steel reinforces the magnetic flux density in the iron core of the electric motor. A high flux density ensures high torque and motor performance. This results in better acceleration and the electric car is more powerful. Lightweight construction also plays a major role in modern automotive engineering in order to reduce energy consumption and increase range: With their highly permeable and solid electrical steel strip, the total weight of the electric motor and therefore the total weight of the vehicle can be reduced – goal achieved!
