UK – Advanced Electric Machines Ltd (AEM) based in Washington, UK, a spin-off from Newcastle University's electric motor research team, used the 2024 IAA Transportation event in Hanover Germany to showcase its air-cooled 32kW magnet-free HDSRM150 electric motor designed for LCV applications. Designed to be compact, the e-motor weighs just 25kg and delivers a peak torque of 100Nm. By the very nature that it is magnet-free, AEM claims that this eliminates the risk of demagnetisation, which allows “the motor to operate at higher speeds and temperatures without the limitations associated with traditional magnet-based motors”. The e-motor can be used for LCVs, trailer axles and electric refrigerated trailers.

The motor is free of all rare earth metals which means they do not require the mining of materials such as neodymium and dysprosium that have significant environmental impacts both locally and globally. This is undoubtedly the company’s unique selling point (USP).  The HDSRM150 is already being used as a generator in SAF-Holland's TRAKr trailer e-axle.