Until now, hybrid development has been led mainly by OEMs’ powertrain departments. Since hybrids are directly related to driveline components, it seemed like a natural step to have powertrain experts developing the next generation of drivelines.
When developing hybrid concepts, the alternatives were quite obvious. The electric motor can be configured in any one of three positions: on the engine; between the engine and the transmission; or on the transmission. In many cases, this leads to a complex design and challenges meeting optimum efficiency due to limitations in (gear) ratio from electric machine to wheel. Also, the products become ‘purpose made’ only for a specific powertrain combination, resulting in very expensive systems with low volumes. Furthermore, a very high development cost has to be spread out. That is why most European OEMs have chosen diesel engines as a more cost-efficient way to reduce fuel consumption.
Since hybrids are directly related to driveline components, it seemed like a natural step to have powertrain experts developing the next generation of drivelines.
All this was true until now. If an OEM wants to be profitable at selling hybrids there are two things to focus on: maximising revenue and reducing cost. It is as simple as that.
Maximise revenue
The customer must want the system – and be willing to pay for it. Reducing fuel consumption by 15-30% is still not enough to attract high numbers of customers worldwide. This is true especially in Europe where a diesel engine can achieve a similar result for far less money. Realising this, the only way is to offer features that customers are willing to pay for. Having a hybrid on the engine/transmission only offers a compromised electric boost on top of the reduced consumption. It is not much to talk about in the showroom.
Reduce cost
The easiest way to reduce cost is to use standard components produced in high volumes and shared by OEMs. This allows OEMs to focus the engineering resources on vehicle tuning and validation instead of ‘reinventing the wheel’. This task is a major challenge when the hybrid systems are connected to the powertrain/transmission.
More features are needed, and hybrid components must be disconnected from the engine and transmission in order to become a commodity developed by suppliers. By putting the electric motor on the rear axle of a front-wheel-drive vehicle, both options can be addressed.
There are a few key options regarding the next step in hybrid development. More features are needed, and hybrid components must be disconnected from the engine and transmission in order to become a commodity developed by suppliers. By putting the electric motor on the rear axle of a front-wheel-drive vehicle, both options can be addressed. When the e-RDM (electric rear drive module) is physically disconnected from the engine and transmission, the design of the e-RDM can be shared between different OEMs. Once the system is installed in a vehicle architecture, only software varies between the different powertrain combinations. It also allows more value-added customer features to be offered, such as:
- Electric AWD functionality – a feature in many driving cases superior to traditional mechanical AWD.
- Full electric boost – significantly improved acceleration from 0-100kph.
- Torque vectoring – adding an optional electrical torque vectoring function to the e-RDM can take the chassis performance to new levels.
A new era has begun. Long live the hybrids.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Automotive World Ltd.
Magnus Rydell is Senior Manager Sales, e-AAM Driveline Systems AB
American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars and crossover utility vehicles. In addition to locations in the US, AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand and the UK. AAM’s joint venture, e-AAM Driveline Systems AB (e-AAM), based in Trollhättan, Sweden, engineers, develops and commercialises electric all-wheel-drive (e-AWD) and hybrid driveline systems for passenger cars and crossover vehicles.
For more information, contact:
Rainer Hartmann, AAM Director, Sales & Marketing, Europe
Tel: +49 (0) 6172-138-6011
email: rainer.hartmann@aam.com
www.aam.com
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