Electric Aviation Group teams up with McLaren Applied to deliver an Optimised High-Performance Inverter and Motor System

Press Release

Wednesday, 13th September 2023

Bristol, 13 September 2023: Though still immature in terms of 'EV Powertrain System Design Thinking', the market is increasingly prioritising highly optimised powertrain systems for their benefits to weight, driver experience, safety and environmental impact. The maturation of new technologies that can extend these benefits, through greater mechanical integration, hardware optimisation and improved software control, is critical to differentiation within the market.

Electric Aviation Group Ltd (EAG) and its Electric Propulsion Subsidiary, Hydrogen Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems Ltd (H2EPS) are driving forward these technological advancements collaborating with industry leaders such as McLaren Applied to deliver application specific powertrains consisting of e-motors, power inverters and control systems resulting in a unique, optimised system for each application. The resulting Ultra-lightweight, Advanced, Electric Propulsion Systems herald a new generation of electric vehicle propulsion delivering a superior user experience.

McLaren Applied has been pioneering advanced power electronics hardware and motor control software for over ten years, with an increasing focus on improving the ability to differentiate the driver experience through powertrain differentiation. McLaren Applied will be supporting an EAG led consortium that has been awarded government funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator competition for Project LEAP (Lightweight Electric Automotive Propulsion). The aim of the project is to develop an ultra-lightweight advanced electric motor, optimised for McLaren Applied’s technologically advanced IPG5 800V silicon carbide inverter. The project focuses on pushing the boundaries of what is possible with Hardware, Software and System optimisation.

The venture will involve collaboration between Electric Aviation Group Ltd (EAG), its subsidiary Hydrogen Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems Ltd (H2EPS) and University of Nottingham (UoN), working with McLaren Applied to develop a new generation electric propulsion system for high performance and luxury electric vehicles, reducing weight, extending range and delivering a new and better driver experience to rival that of the internal combustion engine. A prototype is due to be unveiled in September 2024, with the intention to commercialise the technology beyond that date.

Kamran Iqbal (founder and CEO of EAG) said:

“We are delighted to have received this grant, which is testament to our team, the technologies they have developed and the strong commercial interest we have seen from the automotive sector. We are thrilled to have been awarded this funding and to be collaborating with world leading engineering company McLaren Applied. We would also like to thank Tata Motors and Ariel Motor Company for supporting us. We are grateful to APC for their support in this project.”

“A SUV should be a different driving experience to a saloon and a sports car should deliver a very different ride to a luxury car. We are working with the automotive industry to ensure that electric vehicles deliver the variation of driving experience drivers want making electric vehicles as exciting and as unique as their internal combustion equivalents.”

Paolo Bargiacchi, Head of Product, Electrification, at McLaren Applied said:

“In order to maximise the potential benefits from our 800V SiC IPG5 hardware, we have been focused on developing our motorsport-honed motor control software to deliver advancements in fine motor control. This provides OEMs with the ability to differentiate the driver experience by tailoring the powertrain attributes to their brand – whether that be greater driving engagement, or unrivalled levels of refinement. We are excited that this funding will make the most of these capabilities, delivering an optimised high-performance inverter and motor system.”

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact Kamran Iqbal on kamran.iqbal@electricaviationgroup.com.

Electric Aviation Group Ltd:

EAG is a technology business, focussed on developing technologies to deliver highly optimised hydrogen fuel cell powertrain solutions for transportation applications with the ultimate goal of decarbonising regional air transport. Learn more at www.electricaviationgroup.com

Hydrogen Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems Ltd

Hydrogen Hybrid Electric Propulsion Systems Ltd (H2EPS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of EAG focused on the development of ultra-lightweight advanced propulsion systems (e-motors, power electronics and controls) for transportation applications.

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is a public research university in Nottingham, England. It is part of the research-intensive Russell Group association and is a top 20 UK university and 8th in the UK for research power. The University’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group is internationally renowned and one of the largest on its field, delivering high-impact teaching, research, and industrial collaborations.

McLaren Applied Ltd

More than three decades in F1 and other cutting-edge global motorsport have given McLaren Applied world-leading expertise in electrification, connectivity, control and sensing. This expertise is also applied to automotive, transport and mining sectors, delivering technologies at scale with a performance advantage. Our peoples’ expertise, coupled with our technology and agility, is pioneering a more sustainable, intelligent and connected future. Learn more at https://www.mclarenapplied.com.

Advanced Propulsion Centre

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.

Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded 199 low-carbon projects involving 450 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and will have helped to create or safeguard over 55,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 350 million tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 14.1 million cars.

With its deep sector expertise and cutting-edge knowledge of new propulsion technologies, APC’s role in building and advising project consortia helps projects start more quickly and deliver increased value. In the longer term, its work to drive innovation and encourage collaboration is building the foundations for a successful and sustainable UK automotive industry.

In 2019 the UK government committed the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to accelerate the development of a net-zero vehicle supply chain, enabling UK-based manufacturers to serve global markets. ATF investments are awarded through the APC to support strategically important UK capital and R&D investments that will enable companies involved in batteries, motors and drives, power electronics, fuel cells, and associated supply chains to anchor their future.

For more information go to apcuk.co.uk or follow us @theapcuk on Twitter and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK on LinkedIn.