tyres & wheels
The Michelin Energy E-V tyre is an innovation jointly developed by Renault and Michelin. ZOE will be the first vehicle to be equipped with this highly energy-efficient tyre which enhances vehicle range. It benefits from more than two decades of research and development at Michelin and combines energy savings, safety and durability.
Within the framework of new European tyre labeling legislation, it was awarded the maximum rating (A) for low rolling resistance and grip on wet roads. It is available for 15- and 16-inch wheels. Sept 2012 An in depth look at Michelin tyres, the production, testing and the technology that goes into them.
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Putting an electric motor in a wheel isn't new what Michelin did was add suspension and computer control. Oct 2012
Michelin Hy-Light Active Wheel Motor EV concept. Has a claimed 250Nm - 1300Nm. Jun 2013
Michelin’s Active Wheel units—electric traction motors combined with an active electric suspension—mounted in the front wheels. Supercapacitors store the electricity generated by braking.
Australia based start-up company Evans Electric have unveiled an All Wheel Drive In-Wheel Motor powered Lancer Evo 3 during Meguiar's MotorEx at Sydney Olympic Park
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Ford and Schaeffler have teamed up to produce a Fiesta eWheelDrive prototype.
Designed to explore the potential of in-wheel electric motors, the prototype features two rear hubs that combine the motor, braking and cooling systems into a single unit. The compact design frees up space that normally would have been used by the car's engine and transmission. According to Ford, the technology could eventually allow the company to create a "four-person car that only occupies the space of a two-person car today." Detailed performance specifications haven't been released, but motors apparently produce a combined output of 110 HP (81 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. According to Ford’s director of Research and Advanced Engineering in Europe, Pim van der Jagt, “This is an exciting project to work on with Schaeffler because it potentially opens new options for the development of zero emission vehicles with very efficient packaging and exceptional maneuverability." Speaking of the latter, Ford says the system to eventually enable drivers to move sideways into parking spaces.
It should be noted that the demonstration vehicle's wheel motors are only fitted to the rear axle and not the front. Presumably this is due to the axial length of the wheel motor packaging affecting front steering geometry, specifically negative scrub radius which is required in front wheel drive cars to reduce torque steer. Source: Ford |
Robert Bosch GmbH says it plans to form a joint venture with Chinese company Ningbo Polaris Technology to produce wheel hub motors for electric scooters.
Bosch will hold a majority share of the venture, but did not disclose more details. Ningbo, which employs 450 workers, makes motors for electric scooters under the Poltm brand. Last year, the company sold 1 million motors.
The global market for electric scooters is expanding steadily. Last year, 27 million electric scooters were sold worldwide, and 98 percent of those were made in China. |