EVR Motors in talks with Indian OEMs to share motor technology

Israel-based electric motor company EVR Motors is in talks with multiple original equipment makers (OEMs) in India to license its electric vehicle motors and is of the opinion that these tie-ups could be a major growth driver in its business going forward.

“We are in discussion with multiple OEMs. We are exploring strategic collaborations with OEMs in the two-wheeler, three-wheeler, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicle spaces,” the company’s India Managing Director Sajal Kishore told reporters today.

EVR Motors currently does not mass-manufacture motors. It designs and develops electric motors, and licenses them to component makers or OEMs here through wholly-owned subsidiary I.EVR Pvt Ltd.

The company has developed motors for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and passenger and light commercial vehicles. It focuses on Radial Flux Permanent Magnet (RFPM) motor technology and its motor supports voltages from 48 volts to over 400 volts.

I.EVR has partnered with four companies – Napino, Belrise Industries, and RSB Transmission and Eka Mobility – to manufacture its motors in India. “These partnerships strengthen our supply chain and enhance EVR's ability to cater to Indian and international markets,” he said.

The company generates revenue through royalties from the sale of motors, licensing, and R&D programs with its partners. Kishore declined to disclose the company’s revenue and quantum of investments but said a significant chunk of revenues would come in, once the electric vehicle adoption goes up.

Today, the company started operations at its first facility outside Israel. The facility in Manesar manufactures trapezoidal geometry coils used in its motors. Earlier these coils were imported from Israel. EVR Motors claims the coil, made from copper, has a high copper fill factor of more than 50 percent, helping OEMs optimize their powertrain and giving a flexible platform.

India is one of the largest markets for EVR Motors globally. The company has already tied up with an OEM to provide a 35 KW motor. The company believes OEMs designing vehicle controllers in-house have a great advantage as they claim that any standard FOC motor controller can be paired with their motors.

When asked about why the company is not getting into mass manufacturing of its motors, Kishore said: "Essentially many Israeli firms have a DNA focused on technology and innovation. You will hardly see any large automotive manufacturing giants coming out of Israel because people are used to developing new technology for the world considering they have a relatively small local population and area. We are good at innovation and R&D but not as good at manufacturing. Hence, we leave mass manufacturing of motors to the expertise of our Indian partners and leverage their strengths."

“Basically, at this juncture, customers need a lot of technical clarifications. Most motor companies are selling off-the-shelf products and OEMs have no choice but to adapt to those specifications. We can answer application-centric questions and come up with flexible solutions that are tailored to them. We engage with vehicle makers and offer them support in terms of minor changes to the motor through small programs, which are not costly,” he added.