Scalable, low-cost, high performance IPM Motor for Hybrid Vehicles

Electric drive systems, which include electric machines and power electronics, are a key enabling technology for advanced vehicle propulsion systems that reduce the petroleum dependence of the ground transportation sector. To have significant effect, electric drive technologies must be economical in terms of cost, weight, and size while meeting performance and reliability expectations. This paper will provide an overview of the DoE/GE project to develop scalable, low-cost, high-performance next generation IPM traction motors for hybrid applications. The goal is to leap frog the state of the art and meet the FredomCar 2020 specifications. The paper will include the analytical and test results of the first proof-of-principle machine, analytical and preliminary test results for the second proof-of-principle machine as well as next steps.