AEM aims to make electric motors more sustainable

The electric motor manufacturer AEM (Advanced Electric Machines), a 2017 spin-off from Newcastle University, aims to make electric motors for commercial vehicles and industry more environmentally friendly. The vision, according to the British company, is to develop and build the most sustainable EV motors in the world for the global automotive and transport sector. The engines are to function without rare earth elements in the magnets. They are utilizing expertise in materials, manufacturing, and design to be not only more sustainable, but also more efficient and cost-effective.

"We are driven by a simple yet transformative idea: to create electric motor technology that aligns high performance with environmental responsibility. By foregoing rare earths and copper, we are addressing two of the industry's biggest challenges – supply chain dependency and environmental destruction. This approach sets new standards for what sustainability should look like in the mobility and industrial sectors. We believe innovation only holds meaning when it benefits both the industry and the planet," states Tom Elliott, Business Development Director at AEM.

The company, based in the northeast of England, originated from a research team for electric motors, led by AEM CEO Dr. James Widmer and CTO Dr. Andy Steven. AEM technologies are protected by 46 international patents, safeguarding their unique motor designs and manufacturing processes worldwide.

"AEM's motors eliminate the need for rare earth magnets, reducing volatility in the supply chain and production costs. By dispensing with permanent magnets, AEM's electric motors have removed the effects of demagnetization. This not only makes them safer but also reduces the complexity and risks of thermal management. Without magnets, the rotor can also move freely. This improves motor efficiency and allows the vehicle to glide when needed," outlines Dr. James Widmer, AEM's CEO and co-founder.

The goal is to eliminate the unsustainable dependence on rare earths and copper, which brings significant environmental, political, and financial challenges. By replacing copper with its own aluminum coil technology, they aim to achieve a cost reduction of coils by 89 percent and a reduction in coil mass by 50 percent, while the motor performance is said to be improved by up to 30 percent. The method redefines how engines are manufactured, recycled, and integrated into sustainable mobility solutions, Widmer further promotes. It is crucial not to lose sight of broader environmental goals in discussions about electrification and decarbonization – including reducing water pollution and maximizing recyclability.

"There is an enormous need and a great opportunity for the transport and logistics sector to electrify and hybridize. There are clear challenges in this area, but we believe that this will create even greater opportunities to develop new and groundbreaking solutions," says Widmer.

As an example, he mentions the TRAKr electric axle from SAF Holland, which is powered by the HDSRM150 motor, and this in vehicles where electrification would currently be very difficult. The solution offers the possibility of hybridization via the trailer, significantly reduces emissions, and improves efficiency, according to the promise.