ZF has been recognized by the European Automotive Suppliers Association (CLEPA) with a prestigious innovation award in the “Green” category for its groundbreaking development of a magnet-free electric motor. This achievement highlights ZF’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in electromobility, as the motor eliminates the use of rare earth metals—a significant environmental challenge. By introducing the In-Rotor Inductive-Excited Synchronous Machine (I²SM), ZF presents a technology that maintains high performance while reducing environmental impact, a step forward in creating climate-neutral mobility solutions.
Rare earth metals, commonly used in traditional electric motors, pose challenges due to their environmentally destructive mining processes and supply chain dependencies. ZF’s magnet-free motor mitigates these issues by employing an inductively excited rotor, enhancing efficiency, especially at high speeds, and removing drag losses associated with permanent magnets. This advancement not only conserves critical resources but also reduces reliance on geopolitically sensitive supply chains. The innovation aligns with global efforts to increase the sustainability of electric vehicles while maintaining cutting-edge performance standards in the industry.
The CLEPA Innovation Awards, which celebrate advancements in digital and sustainable automotive solutions, have repeatedly recognized ZF for its visionary contributions. Previous awards include honors for autonomous shuttles, an environmentally friendly eTrailer, and advanced driver assistance systems. This year’s accolade, presented during CLEPA’s 65th-anniversary celebration, further solidifies ZF’s reputation as a leader in the pursuit of greener, more sustainable mobility technologies. Through consistent innovation, ZF demonstrates how engineering can bridge the gap between environmental responsibility and high-performance automotive solutions.
