Exro Technologies is pushing ahead with the commercialization of its coil driver technology and has achieved some key milestones on the journey under several partner projects. It has also ordered two dynamometers for its under-construction Canadian manufacturing facility.
In a tie-up with Zero Motorcycles, performance test results have demonstrated the coil driver’s optimization of low-end torque and high-end speed when combined with the Zero motor powertrain. The Exro and Zero teams will now conduct in-vehicle evaluation of performance and system efficiency to validate test bench results.
“We’re excited to see how Exro’s technology can further enhance the performance of our bikes. At Zero we’re focused on continually innovating to make our products better and look forward to seeing how Exro’s technology collaboration can help us achieve that goal,” said Ryan Biffard, technical lead for powertrain development at Zero Motorcycles.
In a project with Potencia, thorough rig testing carried out by Potencia has shown noteworthy performance improvements in its electric motor with Exro’s 100V coil driver, the first time the 100V coil driver has been applied in a vehicle. Teams at Exro and Potencia will now carry out operational reliability testing on real roads, which is expected to last for six to nine months.
Robert Godfried, CEO at Potencia Industrial, said, “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished with Exro over the years and to finally progress to the operating stage. The teams navigated industry-wide challenges with professionalism, keeping us updated regularly on progress towards this incredible milestone.”
Furthermore, Exro is working with Linamar on a new e-axle product application that will involve integration of Exro’s coil driver technology. The program is said to be on track for the first deliveries in April 2022 as scheduled.
The supplier has also been working with SEA Electric on two projects but supply chain and test capacity delays have impacted deliveries for both. One is an uplifted Mack LR garbage truck equipped with Exro’s 800V drive system and the other is an upfitted F59 delivery truck with Exro’s 400V drive system. Despite these delays, Exro has demonstrated increased torque in the final testing of high-speed mode with the TSA motor. Deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2022.
Beyond the aforementioned programs, third-party testing of Exro’s coil driver carried out by AVL has been successfully completed. The results confirmed that the technology works as expected in an electric motor application.
