Swindon Powertrain has unveiled a new compact 80kW ‘crate’ powertrain that makes it easier for specialist OEMs to electrify their low-volume sports cars, as well as their light commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles.

The company’s High Power Density (HPD) electric-vehicle (EV) system (www.swindonpowertrain.com) will ease the transition for manufacturers currently frustrated by the lack of compact high-power EV systems available to buy in low volumes.

Swindon Powertrain’s managing director, Raphaël Caillé, said: “To date, niche manufacturers have not had access to compact high-power EV powertrains that they could source in low or medium-size volumes.

"When you factor in development costs, specialist OEMs have not been able to electrify their vehicles as quickly as they would like. Our ready-to-install ‘crate’ powertrain will accelerate EV adoption in sectors that are poorly served by the larger Tier One manufacturers and integrators.”

Funded by the Niche Vehicle Network and working in partnership with electric-motor manufacturer iNetic and automotive
specialist Code, Swindon Powertrain’s HPD project will create a turn-key ‘crate’ transverse system with the highest power/volume ratio on the market.

So compact is the 70kg HPD EV powertrain — 600 x 440 x 280mm — that the whole assembly (motor, inverter, single-speed transmission and cooling system) will fit under the bonnet of a classic Mini, in a quad bike or under the loading
platform of a light commercial vehicle.

Swindon Powertrain will now develop tooling and identify manufacturing techniques to have the unit in production by June 2020.

Multiple mounting points and flexibility for inverter and cooling pack locations will enable it to fit a range of vehicles — from sports cars through to commercial vehicles — while waterproofing options will make it suitable for off-road leisure and recreation vehicles.

Other sectors set to benefit include OEMs that could use it as an e-axle for hybrid passenger-car applications, as well as the growing number of retrofit classic cars being converted to EVs.