The new Yasa electric motor is more powerful than four Tesla engines combined

The new axial flux electric motor developed by the British company Yasa has set an unofficial specific power record. Weighing just 28 pounds (12.7 kg), it recently achieved an impressive peak power of 750 kilowatts (1005 horsepower) on the dynamometer. This is an unprecedented specific power of 59 kW/kg.

What is known

An axial electric motor is a type of motor in which the magnetic field runs along the axis of the motor rather than perpendicular to it, as in radial flux motors. It is also called an axial flux motor or disc motor.

The previous record-breaking Yasa motor weighed 28.8 pounds (13.1 kg) and developed a peak power of 550 kW (737 hp), corresponding to a specific power of 42 kW/kg. The new, more powerful and thinner electric motor is almost four times more powerful than the rear electric motor installed on the recently introduced Tesla Model Y Standard. The power of the latter in the European version of Model Y is 200 kW (268 hp). It is also more powerful than two Tesla Model 3 Performance electric vehicles combined, considering that the peak power of one car is 460 hp.

But peak power isn't everything. While it can be useful for short bursts, like overtaking, continuous output power is even more important, and Yasa claims its new fully functional prototype is capable of continuously delivering 350 to 400 kW (469 to 536 hp).

The British company claims that its record-breaking motor is scalable and does not use exotic materials, which means it can be mass-produced as soon as there is demand for it.

Lightness is extremely important for electric vehicles, and such a light and powerful electric motor can significantly increase range. Less weight means that a smaller capacity battery is required to cover the same distance as a heavier electric vehicle with a larger capacity battery. A smaller battery also means it takes less time to charge.

Yasa’s axial flux motors are already used in the automotive industry but have so far been applied only in very expensive cars such as the Lamborghini Temerarior and Ferrari 296 GTB, where they work alongside an internal combustion engine. The Mercedes-AMG GT XX concept, which is expected to become the basis for a fully electric Super GT, uses three Yasa axial flux motors with a total power of over 1000 kW (1360 hp).

As with many other innovations, the best ones usually first appear in expensive models but then, as costs drop and production grows, they gradually make their way into more affordable models.

Source: InsideEVs