Ricardo, a global environmental and engineering consulting firm, has designed, developed, and tested a prototype electric propulsion module called Alumotor, an innovative rare earth metal-free synchronous reluctance motor to support sustainable e-mobility.
The project was delivered through an Innovate UK-funded consortium led by Ricardo to address the environmental impact of materials used in electric motor design.
Alumotor provides a low-cost and scalable alternative to traditional copper-wound permanent magnet machines. Free from rare earth metals and critical raw materials such as cobalt, the motor uses aluminum hairpin windings and features oil cooling, enabling it to deliver 214 kW of power with a peak efficiency of over 92%.
These attributes make it well suited for light commercial electric vehicles and off-highway electric applications, with potential adaptation across a wide range of propulsion systems.
As demand for EVs grows, so does concern over the sourcing and sustainability of critical raw materials. Ricardo’s work spans the entire value chain, including product design, circular economy strategies, policy guidance, and supply chain optimization, helping manufacturers reduce their environmental impact.
The Alumotor project was presented at the Materials and Manufacturing Showcase 2025 in London, organized by UKRI. The team highlighted the UK’s progress in building a sustainable motor supply chain and displayed the prototype during the event.
Filed Under: Electric Motor, Technology News