Exro Technologies Inc (CSE:XRO) (OTCQB:EXROF) (FRA:1O2), which has developed a new class of power electronics for powertrains, has announced a strategic development agreement with Linamar Corporation (TSE:LNR) (OTCMKTS:LIMAF) (FRA:LNR), a global powerhouse in automobile parts manufacturing, to develop an advanced electric drive solution for electric vehicles.
Linamar is a tier-one manufacturer of advanced mobility solutions for the automotive industry. It has over 26,000 employees in 61 manufacturing locations, 12 R&D centres and sales offices in 17 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, and generated sales of $7.4 billion in 2019.
Calgary-based clean technology company Exro and Linamar have agreed to develop an advanced eAxle utilizing Coil Driver technology to improve cost and performance of Linamar's eAxle product line. An eAxle is an integrated electric drive solution for battery electric vehicles (BEV) or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The integrated solution provides better manufacturing cost and more efficient volume usage, without sacrificing key performance capabilities.
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With growing demand for electric vehicles around the world to reduce carbon emissions, there is still a critical gap in electric vehicle affordability and performance to achieve mass adoption. An advanced eAxle solution can help bridge the gap to cost-effective and high-performance battery electric vehicles.
Initial demonstration of this technology will utilize Linamar's Medium Duty eAxle product. “In the initial phase of development, Exro will supply Coil Driver development samples and optimized electric motors for integration in eAxle program testing,” said the company.
Linamar will supply and integrate the remaining critical elements of the eAxle system, including the gear box assembly, for lab and on-road testing. The company noted that completed testing and validation of prototypes is planned for the second quarter of 2022. “Following successful testing of the eAxle program, Exro and Linamar will promote the technology to the market with the intention of commercializing the Coil Driver eAxle into series production,” said the company.
"Exro came to us with a unique solution for our electric drive program that we believe is a step in the right direction for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles," said Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz in a statement. "This integrated design can pave the way for cost-effective and high performing electric propulsion systems that are essential to scale the transition to electric mobility."
Meanwhile, Exro CEO Sue Ozdemir said her company is “very excited” to work with Linamar, who has been a staple in auto industry manufacturing for decades.
“This strategic development agreement marks one of our biggest milestones to date and represents a huge opportunity for us to become an integral part of the EV supply chain for major automotive companies," added Ozdemir.
Exro's advanced motor control technology, the Coil Driver, expands the capabilities of electric motors and powertrains by enabling intelligent optimization for efficient energy consumption.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
