SAF-Holland’s rare earth-free electric axle
Collaboration between SAF-Holland and British motor manufacturer AEM (Advanced Electric Machines) is set to deliver more sustainable solutions for future commercial vehicles, which supports one of SAF’s key aims to convert movement into energy.
SAF-Holland and AEM are working together on the suspension specialist’s electric axle system: AEM is supplying an innovative electric motor for the SAF Trakr regenerative braking axle that does not rely upon rare earth or copper elements for operation.
“Rare earths are valuable raw materials that are only used in very small quantities, for example in notebooks, smartphones and some electric motors,” said SAF-Holland.
“The extraction of these special metals places a huge burden on the environment: each tonne of extracted rare earth material produces high amounts of toxic and corrosive waste gases such as sulphur dioxide as well as acidic wastewater.
“Thanks to a patented technology, AEM’s HDSRM150 motor is completely free of rare earth elements including neodymium and dysprosium. AEM also replaces the copper windings with aluminium to further improve recyclability. Significantly, the absence of copper makes the motor lighter without reducing overall efficiency.”
This sustainably produced electric motor is installed in the new SAF Trakr electric axle, which is part of SAF-Holland’s e-axle family.
It features recuperation to convert the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy. This is temporarily stored in a lithium-ion battery and can then be used for auxiliary units in the trailer, such as pumps or cooling systems while the vehicle is moving. Recuperation as an additional source of power generation saves fuel, while reducing noise and exhaust emissions from the vehicle.
The SAF Trakr is favoured for use in refrigerated trucks, says SAF-Holland, where the cooling units can be operated in fully electrical mode.
“Every litre of diesel saved counts – which is why we developed the SAF Trakr to electrify commercial vehicle trailers and reduce the load on the tractor unit,” said Olaf Drewes, director, group innovation EMEA at SAF-Holland.
“AEM’s HDSMR150 motor is perfect for the job as it is powerful, efficient, yet also as sustainable as possible.”
James Widmer, CEO of AEM, added: “SAF-Holland is undeniably one of the leading commercial vehicle suppliers in the world, and we are delighted to be working with them.
“The signed Memorandum of Understanding is an important milestone for AEM as we look to further expand our business in order to make the world’s most sustainable electric motors available to Tier 1 and trailer manufacturers.”
SAF-Holland UK distributes a variety of solutions for the transport industry in the UK and Ireland under the SAF-Holland, Haldex, Axscend and Sauer Quality Parts brands.
