Exro Technologies (TSX:EXRO) (OTCQB:EXROF) inked an agreement to develop a new clean technology hybrid diesel-electric off-highway products with a major equipment supplier.
The deal includes Exro’s Coil Driver Inverter, and agriculture, construction or mining vehicles are examples of off highway designs. The partner making the purchase is presently under a non disclosure agreement (NDA) and will be named later.
“This new product development is a perfect example of how Exro is innovating solutions with customers that bridge the performance-cost gap to electrification. Our partner is a global leader in its space and looking to evolve its currently fully diesel line-up into the future. A successful development that demonstrates our already proven capabilities in other applications opens a huge door with this yet-to-be-named partner, as well as many other industries with a similar challenge to solve,” aid Sue Ozdemir, Exro CEO.
Exro Technologies is a clean technology company that develops power control electronics. Its key goal is to better optimize energy by expanding the abilities of electric motors and batteries. It technologies aim to bridge the performance cost gap in e-mobility and stationary energy storage, and boost adoption towards a circular electrified economy.
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Clean technology is power control
Clean technology, commonly truncated to cleantech, is any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through energy efficiency improvements, use of sustainable resources, or other environmental protection activities. Exro’s engines qualify because they don’t use fossil fuels.
The latest development works with Exro’s power control electronics strategy in trying to help improve performance at a reduced cost.
The coil driver improves on the physics of coil switching through controlling an electric motor at the individual coil level. This lets the motor switch motor profiles and deliver two separate speed torque profiles from the same motor. This also bumps the motor’s operating range by working like an electronic gear.
“The reality is that due to certain performance requirements, not all applications can easily flip to fully electric today. Moving to a hybrid set-up is a logical next-generation step. The Coil Driver is perfect for this type of application, easily providing the high torque required for starting diesel engines without sacrificing motoring and generating capability once the engine is running. Utilizing the unique features native to the Coil Driver, the customer can operate the diesel-electric powertrain at optimal efficiency for better performance and lower emissions, while experiencing significant fuel savings versus straight diesel,” said Eric Hustedt, Exro’s chief technology officer.
What this means for manufacturers is more design flexibility. Exro’s tech means a 50 per cent boost in performance for a small cost increase. Either that, or they can optimize the system to reduce the weight, complexity and save 20 per cent of the cost of their powertrains without a performance hit.
