ZF starts electric motor production for SELECT platform

German automotive supplier ZF has kicked off series production of its asynchronous electric motor for the recently unveiled SELECT drive platform in China. The asynchronous motors, manufactured at its Hangzhou plant, are intended for integration by Chinese carmakers.

The asynchronous motor (ASM) rolling off the production line at ZF Electrified Powertrain Technologies (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. has been “engineered to deliver high performance, enhanced efficiency, and cost-effective manufacturing,” says ZF. The latter aspect, in particular, is expected to provide both the supplier and its customers with “accelerated market entry, and scalable manufacturing within a competitive cost structure”. However, ZF does not disclose specific data regarding the drive unit in the announcement.

That may be due to the nature of the product itself: the asynchronous motor is no longer a customer-specific individual product but forms part of the SELECT drive platform presented earlier this month. In brief, SELECT encompasses a bundle of components optimised for the platform from which customers can configure their individual solution for their requirements – including e-motors, inverters, converters, reduction gearboxes and software. Fundamentally, it is an 800-volt overall system for the power range between 100 and 300 kW.

The modular system for the electric motors is called ’em:SELECT’ and comprises all e-drives from PSM (permanently excited synchronous machines) and ASM to the future I2SM, an externally excited synchronous machine developed by ZF – designed to achieve the performance data of a PSM without permanent magnets with rare earths.

With the production start now underway in Hangzhou, ZF aims to deliver on one of the SELECT platform’s core promises: short time-to-market.

“This marks another important milestone in our local e-mobility strategy,” said Timo Maisel, Senior Vice President of Electrified Powertrain Technology Division, Asia Pacific. ”With its innovative design and optimised production process based on our platform strategy, this electric motor delivers everything that matters to automotive manufacturers — which is positively reflected in our order books in China.”

“The strategic alignment and co-development with major car manufacturers ensure demand stability and open the door for supplier partnerships. ZF is certainly willing to grow together closely with our customers,” added Mao Ziqian, Head of Product Line Powertrain Modules & Electric Motors AP. “ZF follows the market demand and forms strategic synergies and joint development with major automakers to ensure high quality and stable supply, and at the same time creates more opportunities for in-depth cooperation in the supply chain to promote the upgrading and development of the entire electric mobility ecosystem.”

zf.com