Bentley on track to next-gen EV technology

Bentley Motors has today announced that a three-year research study named OCTOPUS (OptimisedComponents, Test and simulatiOn, toolkits for Powertrains which integrate Ultra high-speed motor Solutions) hopes to revolutionise electric vehicle powertrains. Bentley claims to achieve this by using a fully integrated, free from rare-earth magnet e-axle that sustains electric vehicle architectures. This new development further cements Bentley’s vision as it looks to the future of sustainable luxury mobility, with the aim of introducing its first fully electric Bentley by 2026.  

Working off of the UK’s top electronics research, this electric drive system has exceeded the latest permanent magnet motor performance while removing the need for both copper windings and rare-earth magnets. This allows the vehicle to ultimately be cost effective and sustainable, as it is recyclable at the end of its shelf life. OCTOPUS combines this state-of-the-art motor, power electronics and packaging transmission design with the latest next gen materials, manufacturing processes, simulation and test cycles. 

Commenting on project OCTOPUS, Stefan Fischer, Director of Powertrain Engineering at Bentley Motors, stated:

“We have made no secret of our ambition to lead the way in the delivery of sustainable luxury mobility, Beyond100. We have a clear roadmap to offer a hybrid option for every model by 2023, starting with the Bentayga Hybrid, and our next goal moves towards a fully electric Bentley by 2026.              

“However today, there remains challenges and package constraints on the viability and flexibility of electric vehicle powertrains that are able to fully support EV architectures. With the industry, technologies and cars changing faster than ever before, research projects such as OCTOPUS are crucial to deliver innovative technologies and overcome challenges for the next generation of mobility solutions.”

OCTOPUS, an OLEV-funded project in affiliation with Innovate UK unites the following partners with their own unique duties and roles:

Bentley Motors – Specification setting, vehicle integration plan and system test

Advanced Electric Machines Ltd – Motor manufacturing and systems assembly

Advanced Electric Machines Research Ltd – Motor and transmission design

The Thinking Pod Innovations Ltd & Nottingham University – Power electronics optimisation and alternative wide band gap system design

The Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) at the University of Bath – Integrated system analysis and proof of concept validation testing

HiETA Technologies Ltd – AM component design and manufacture for thermal management including stator core housing, power electronics and E-axle oil cooling 

FD Sims Ltd – Next generation wire technology development

Talga Technologies Ltd – 2D materials development for next generation winding technologies

Diamond Light Source – UK’s national synchrotron light source providing access to X-ray facilities for measurements

Hartree Centre (Science and Technology Facilities Council) – Advanced system testing and co-simulation toolkit development

Francesca Iudicello, Programme Manager for low & zero emission vehicles at Innovate UK further states, “The IDP Programme is playing a significant part in the UK’s push to net zero carbon by providing support for the development of ground-breaking zero emission technologies. The APEX and OCTOPUS projects are an outstanding example of how the partnership between a UK SME and a global OEM can continue through the different development stage of motor drives, which puts UK innovation at the forefront of the high performance PEMDs market worldwide.” 

Advanced Electric Machines Group CEO, Dr. James Widmer, added: “Having already worked closely with Bentley to successfully deliver a proof of concept, we look forward to this new project to push the performance, packaging and sustainability of electric vehicle drives to a new level, removing the need for rare-earths and copper and achieving the highest levels of system integration.”