Automotive provider Magna this week unveiled a brand new piece of {hardware} for decoupling EV drive motors that the corporate claims can increase vary by as much as 9%.

Disconnecting drive motors when their energy just isn’t wanted reduces power consumption and drag-torque losses from the motor and its gearbox, Magna stated in a press launch. That helps increase total effectivity.

Magna eDecoupling unit

Magna claims its electromechanical eDecoupling gadget could be simply added to current EV powertrain designs, interfacing with a automobile’s powertrain controls and activating in lower than 100 milliseconds. The corporate says the unit is appropriate for hybrids in addition to EVs, in autos together with SUVs and light-weight industrial autos.

Manufacturing of the eDecoupling unit will happen at Magna’s facility in Lannach, Austria. The unit will launch on “a number of autos of a German premium automaker,” based on the corporate.

Magna additionally serves as contract producer for the Fisker Ocean, however it’s unclear whether or not this is similar “distinctive clutch” that Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker has stated is being utilized in that EV. Magna has beforehand claimed, with an illustration Jaguar I-Tempo (one other automobile Magna builds underneath contract), that it may well increase EV vary as much as 30% principally with modifications to software program and controls.

Magna EtelligentReach

Addressing drag from inactive electrical motors might unlock higher EV effectivity.

Everlasting-magnet motors proceed to exert drag on the driveline and might’t actually coast, in order that they’re finest engaged in regenerative braking. Lots of the latest-generation electrical motors—reminiscent of those Normal Motors is utilizing in its Ultium fashions—have been designed particularly for very low-load circumstances that may apply to cruising and coasting. Polestar has additionally stated that its next-generation motors will be capable to disconnect.