ZF has been recognized as a leading pioneer in the “Green” category by the automotive supplier group CLEPA. Award-winning rare earth-free electric motor technology raises the bar for electromobility by eliminating the need for magnets while maintaining performance while enhancing sustainability.
Otmar Scharrer, Head of Engineering Electrified Powertrain Technology at ZF, states, “This award is a recognition of our continuous efforts to develop innovative and environmentally friendly solutions for electromobility.” With our electric motor, we are showcasing a more environmentally friendly substitute for traditional solutions that provide optimal performance without requiring rare earths.”
Mining for rare earth metals has a big impact on the environment, and they are frequently hard to extract. However, because they are utilized in magnets and batteries, they continue to be an essential part of electromobility. By employing an inductively excited, magnet-free system in the rotor, ZF’s I²SM (In-Rotor Inductive-Excited Synchronous Machine) totally eliminates the need for these metals. This greatly increases efficiency and sustainability while lowering reliance on essential raw materials.
Eliminating the need for rare earths decreases supply chain dependency and conserves valuable resources during production. Furthermore, there are no drag losses from permanent magnets, which improves efficiency on lengthy highway trips at high speeds, in contrast to the permanent magnet synchronous machines (PSM) currently in use.
Prior to this, ZF won the CLEPA Innovation Award in 2020 for an eco-friendly eTrailer, a truck trailer prototype with an integrated electric drive, and in 2022 for its driverless shuttle. For their collaboratively created Evasive Maneuver Assist system for commercial vehicles, WABCO and ZF were awarded the 2017 Innovation Award.