SEG Automotive targets fast-growing 2-, 3-wheeler EV market with India-specific e-motors

German Tier 1 supplier SEG Automotive is to officially launch two new electrification products at Auto Expo Component 2020 at its Stall No. 5.43 in Hall No. 5 GF. The company aims to expand its electrification product portfolio to e-motors for electric autos and electric two-wheelers. Compared to passenger cars, electrifying two- and three-wheelers have a much lower barrier of entry and with these two products – an 8 kW e-motor for e-autos and a 5 kW e-motor for 2-wheelers – SEG is targeting this fast growing segment. The company will also display innovative offerings for light electric vehicles, in addition to its fuel efficiency improvement solutions for conventional ICEs.

E-motors combine efficiency and reliability
The company claims that the new EM 1.8 with an 8kW power output for e-autos (L5) and EM 1.5 with a 5 kW power output for two-wheelers combine efficiency and reliability. According to Anil Kumar MR, president and MD, SEG Automotive India, “The e-machines are best in class in regards to efficiency, thus increasing range and further reducing the total cost of ownership. Their high power density combines compact packaging with a great responsiveness. This fun driving experience is further enhanced by an advanced electromagnetic design, which prevents cogging torque. Both the EM 1.5 and EM 1.8 stand for safe, reliable mobility. Their drive control system ensures functional safety according to global standards, providing safe operation at all times. Specific protection features and increased robustness enable the e-machines to easily withstand the tough operating conditions on Indian roads. Series production for the EM 1.8 and EM 1.5 will start later this year in India for the domestic and overseas market, with a high level of local content.”

Made for India
The company has a clear plan about targeting this fast-growing segment given the ease of transition. SEG Automotive India’s Anil Kumar MR explains, “Unlike electric passenger cars, which are currently not ideal in this market due to a high total cost of ownership and a lack of charging infrastructure, light electric vehicles make sense for society and the individual consumer on an immediate basis. They have a direct impact on reducing urban pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. They do not depend on a charging infrastructure, as they can be charged at home during the night and a fully charged battery is usually enough for daily driving needs. Finally, they are highly competitive in terms of total cost of ownership due to much smaller batteries (3 to 5 kWh) as well as FAME II and state level incentives. The new EM 1.8 for E-Autos as well as the EM 1.5 for 2-wheelers have been developed specifically for the Indian market.”

SEG Automotive first announced its entry into the three-wheeler segment at SIAT Expo 2019 with an e-machine for e-rickshaws, which was co-developed between German and Indian engineering specifically for this market. The EM 1.2 with a 2 kW output is well received in the Indian market with high customer interest. Series production has already begun for various Indian customers.

SEG Auto could target overseas markets as well
Speaking to Autocar Professional , which featured SEG Automotive's innovation as its lead story in its December 1, 2019 issue, SEG Automotive India chief Anil Kumar MR said: “Our vision, as a company, is to significantly contribute towards the reduction of CO2 across all segments of vehicles, and hybrids have a huge role to play. We also believe that by 2025, near about 15 percent vehicle electrification will happen, while 85 percent of the vehicles would still remain purely internal combustion."

Autocar Professional had revealed SEG Automotive's India-specific e-motor development programme in its December 1, 2019 issue.

It is likely that both new products (EM 1.8 and EM 1.5), which are India-specific, could fina application in overseas markets. Kumar says they “are finding applications in a lot of other similar markets abroad as well. Light electro-mobility is the area to be in and it is the most promising space in the Indian market right now.”

“The first transformation of electrification will happen in the last-mile. We strongly believe that this is the right start for India and then we can migrate into the segments of electric three-wheelers and e-scooters. This would create a sufficient base for us to eventually move towards electric mobility in the passenger vehicle space as well. However, if we look at it from a climatic point of view, electric four-wheelers of personal use may still not be beneficial because the energy mix is not the right one in India."

“Fleet electrification in the passenger vehicle space, which is also being encouraged by the government, seems to the only glimmer for electrification of the passenger vehicle segment. That's because the mortgage that needs to be done into these products due to the cost of the battery is so high that it would take a lot of time to offset the investment, which is unviable when utilising the same asset for personal mobility.”