Elaphe is a pioneer of electric in-wheel drives for EVs. Its name originates from ancient Greece, specifically from a myth of the snake Ouroboros. This is a snake that is twisted into a circle and holds its own tail with its mouth. In ancient mythology, this snake was also considered to be a symbol of healing.
Auto Futures sat down with Elaphe’s CEO, Gorazd Lampič, to discuss its breakthrough technology and its recent partnership announcements. He also tells us that the company’s philosophy is to take inspiration from nature.
“We pride ourselves by engineering motors that contribute to the circular economy, specifically exploiting natural resources (i.e. electricity) sustainably and solving ecological problems by reducing part count and removing unnecessary mechanical inefficiencies from a system,” he says.
The Slovenian company has developed an electric, In-wheel motor (IWM) system that can be integrated into a wide range of vehicles, cutting down on manufacturing costs, while increasing vehicle functionality and safety features.
“The motors are integrated directly into the vehicle’s wheels, which reduced the number of moving parts of a drive system such as a gearbox, differential, or drive shafts. The energy efficiency of such a drivetrain is improved due to a reduction of system losses. Furthermore, it can save cost by reducing weight and frees up space on board which would be otherwise occupied by other drivetrain components,” he explains.
Elaphe’s IWM technology has been developed in over 25 different variants, and has been integrated into over 60 different applications.
“Motors are developed in a variety of sizes for different vehicle segments and easily customizable to meet specific application requirements. Each customer’s motor can be customized to a degree to modify the rotor and stator interfaces to accommodate their preferences in peripheral components such as the brakes, bearings and other internal parts.”
Wherever possible, Elaphe seeks to minimise a motor’s weight. As a result, the ‘active part’ of the motor – the electric machine with windings and magnets – takes up just 30% of the overall weight.
The company has also built its own full-flow testing and validation infrastructure.
“When it comes to testing, most of the world’s high-power electric motors are high-speed and medium- or low-torque systems, so most measurement equipment worldwide is designed for those characteristics. That is why our measuring stations have been developed internally from scratch, using a combination of industry-standard hardware and software along with our own improvements, to fulfil in-wheel propulsion system requirements while staying compatible with most other systems.”
“In parallel with the high-torque requirement, we’ve constructed them in a way that avoids resonant frequencies when testing motors at very high speeds. Combining those two aspects makes our measuring stations uniquely ‘universal’ in their ability to test motors of widely different types and characteristics, while complying with automotive standards,” says Lampič.
The Power of Partnerships
Elaphe is already developing electric powertrains for a number of commercial partners. Its relationship with Aptera goes back over a decade. Aptera’s solar-powered vehicles can travel further on less energy due to IWM technology.
“In-wheel-motor technology affords Aptera advantages that would be impossible with other propulsion systems: enhanced aerodynamics, lighter overall vehicle weight and much-improved handling, resulting in industry-leading mileage and safety. In combination with Aptera’s already low-drag aerodynamics and lightweight construction, Elaphe’s compact, high-torque in-wheel motors enable very low energy need. We are working closely with the Aptera team on their path to production.”
Lordstown Motors’ new generation pick-up truck, named ‘Endurance’, will also be powered by Elaphe’s IWM technology. The Endurance will be the first mass-produced commercial vehicle to feature in-wheel hub motors.
To help Elaphe grow further, in 2020 it received an investment of over four million Euros from EIT InnoEnergy, which financially supports and helps develop sustainable energy projects and companies across Europe.
“The partnership with EIT InnoEnergy strengthens Elaphe’s position both in the EU and globally. The provided investment and support will significantly accelerate commercial activities with automotive OEMs. This in turn will help us further optimize our best-in-class technology platform in accordance with customer requirements for production vehicles,” says Lampič.
“It serves as the recognition for us in a sense that we represent a bold vision of the future of mobility – renouncing the traditionally incremental developments seen in the sector, and is instead pushing the envelope of how we view automotive design.”
EIT InnoEnergy’s Jennifer Dungs, Thematic Field Leader Energy for Transport and Mobility, comments: “Not only is the timing right, and their in-wheel powertrain technology the most advanced in the market – the approach they have taken, developing a highly adaptable platform, will allow them to deliver instantaneous benefit to automakers and thus have a far-reaching impact on the mobility sector for decades to come.”
“There are many benefits of being part of this broad ecosystem, meaning we have an opportunity to network with major market players across industries, and more specifically, the European automakers. Therefore, we are able to share our global sustainability efforts, our vision of future mobility and connect for possible collaboration,” adds Lampič.
Getting Experience On-Board
Elaphe recently announced that ex-Tesla board member and Daimler VP, Professor Herbert Kohler has joined its board. He will help the company with business development, market positioning, and supporting activities with its fast-growing OEM business.
“With his rich experience in the largest players both in traditional automotive and e-mobility, Prof. Dr. Kohler is one of the more experienced and insightful advisors, helping us focus Elaphe’s technical and business development in a way to best address the needs of traditional OEMs,” says Lampič.
“He is providing insight for addressing vehicle level benefits that can be unlocked by multiple wheel control electronics and in-wheel powertrain architecture. His understanding of the needs of growing companies like Tesla and the operations of traditional OEM like Daimler are extremely valuable for guiding Elaphe on its development path,” he adds.
“We should make cities, transportation human-centric. If that means we have to use the bicycle more, I can live with that.”
Looking further ahead, Lampič says the adoption of mobility that is not harmful to the environment will come down to the habits of people and their behaviour.
“We might all be using electric cars, but if they are too heavy or too big, or we make unnecessary trips, we have done nothing for the environment and user benefit. Also, considering where emissions come from and how resources and land are used, we can see that actions of people as a society matter more than the technologies used. There is still too little awareness about what is the best way for our planet,” he explains.
“Mobility, especially electric mobility, in contrast to petrol cars, is becoming a part of infrastructure at large – including buildings. This can ease the pressure on the grid and increase energy independence, which is good. Light vehicles will be better for this due to lower absolute consumption of energy per mile travelled.”
“Mobility will be very dependent on the habits of people. Will these change – hard to say. But for sure, we should make cities, transportation human-centric. If that means we have to use the bicycle more, I can live with that,” adds Lampič.
“Elaphe will continue to support forward looking vehicle designers and provide powertrain solutions focused to the needs of users and vehicle missions. A segment of vehicle with superior aerodynamics and extremely low energy demand will emerge. Rolling chassis with different bodies on the top will be used for a variety of missions. And traditional passenger cars will offer much better comfort compared to limitations of current cockpit-like design interior,” he concludes.
For updates on Elaphe, check out its LinkedIn profile.
Keyword: Taking Inspiration From Nature – Elaphe CEO Gorazd Lampič on Its In-Wheel Motor Technology