EICMA 2021 Milan: Vitesco electrifies everything from scooters to trikes

In addition, it is expected to increase driving pleasure, as it brings a noticeable performance boost, particularly for medium-sized motorcycles. A very demanding control strategy for hybrid systems is managed by a PDCU (Powertrain Domain Control Unit). This so-called Master Controller controls the 48-volt machine, communicates with the engine control M4C of the combustion engine, and coordinates the two types of propulsion. The system decides when to drive electrically, when to use the classic drive, and when to use both, ensuring harmonious transitions between the propulsion forms.

Another innovation of the hybrid motorcycle can be seen in the Smart Transmission Actuator, which can shift gears autonomously without clutch engagement. Such an automated manual transmission can achieve high CO2 savings because the electronic control can perform the gear change at a time optimal for fuel economy.

Wide Electrification Range

The range of electrification offerings from Vitesco Technologies is demonstrated by two additional EICMA exhibits: an Integrated Starter Generator Control Unit and the integrated axle drive EMR3. The starter generator control unit allows the integration of a start-stop functionality in two-wheelers up to 250 ccm displacement with minimal effort. For this purpose, the 12-volt alternator present in the system is modified so that it functions not only as a generator but also as an actuator to start the combustion engine. The starter can thus be eliminated. In certain driving situations, the actuator can also increase drive power.

E-Drive for Rickshaws and Side-by-Side Models

The third generation of the EMR (Electronics Motor Reducer), which the provider has been using in numerous car models since 2019, is a highly integrated, compact, and lightweight unit comprising an electric motor, power electronics (inverter), and reduction gearbox. It is intended for performance-oriented three- or four-wheeled electric vehicles such as side-by-side models or rickshaws. Vitesco Technologies recently announced the first such deployment outside the car sector: The high-performance tricycle Twike 5, which is set to be produced in small series from mid-next year, will accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds thanks to the EMR3 drive, reach a top speed of 190 km/h, and consume only 6.9 kWh per 100 kilometers. Martin Moescheid, Managing Director and partner of Twike GmbH, based in Rosenthal, Hesse, also emphasizes this.

“In addition to performance, efficiency was of central importance to us. The EMR3 has high efficiency across all load ranges, allowing us to achieve very low consumption values. Moreover, this drive unit is particularly lightweight, extremely robust, and easy to adapt. The background of an already ongoing, high-quality series production also significantly contributed to our decision.”

The Twike—a portmanteau of Twin and Bike—originates from students at ETH Zurich, who developed the prototype of this two-seater, enclosed recumbent bicycle in 1986. To this day, pedals remain a feature of this vehicle type. While the drive shaft is mechanically supported in the current series model Twike 3, the pedal power in the Twike 5 is used to generate electrical energy. In both cases, this relieves the battery and increases the range. Above all, however, the pedals are intended to enable sporty activity during the ride. The Twike 5, with 70 kW of power and 1,800 Nm of torque at the drive axle, will be by far the most powerful model in the brand’s history.