Automotive provider Magna this week unveiled a brand new piece of {hardware} for decoupling EV drive motors that the corporate claims can increase vary by as much as 9%.

Disconnecting drive motors when their energy just isn’t wanted reduces vitality consumption and drag-torque losses from the motor and its gearbox, Magna mentioned in a press launch. That helps increase general effectivity.

Magna eDecoupling unit

Magna claims its electromechanical eDecoupling machine will be simply added to current EV powertrain designs, interfacing with a car’s powertrain controls and activating in lower than 100 milliseconds. The corporate says the unit is appropriate for hybrids in addition to EVs, in autos together with SUVs and light-weight business autos.

Manufacturing of the eDecoupling unit will happen at Magna’s facility in Lannach, Austria. The unit will launch on “a number of autos of a German premium automaker,” in response to the corporate.

Magna additionally serves as contract producer for the Fisker Ocean, however it’s unclear whether or not this is similar “distinctive clutch” that Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker has mentioned is being utilized in that EV. Magna has beforehand claimed, with an indication Jaguar I-Tempo (one other car Magna builds underneath contract), that it could possibly increase EV vary as much as 30% principally with adjustments to software program and controls.

Magna EtelligentReach

Addressing drag from inactive electrical motors might unlock better EV effectivity.

Everlasting-magnet motors proceed to exert drag on the driveline and might’t actually coast, so that they’re greatest engaged in regenerative braking. Most of the latest-generation electrical motors—corresponding to those Normal Motors is utilizing in its Ultium fashions—have been designed particularly for very low-load situations that might apply to cruising and coasting. Polestar has additionally mentioned that its next-generation motors will have the ability to disconnect.