Magnomatics and Changan UK collaborate for next gen hybrids

The project, codenamed IMPACT (Integrated Magsplit Powertrain with Advanced Control and Testing) has been co-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. The total value of the planned project is £2.85m. The project was one of the winning bids following a competition launched last September (2015) encouraging companies to propose innovative ideas to cut vehicle emissions. The funding combines £30m from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) with £8.2m of additional funding from Innovate UK, who will support the schemes.

The project will demonstrate a full hybrid powertrain ready for prototype vehicle installation, backed by world class digital engineering in hybrid powertrain design.

This funding was first announced in March 2016 by the then Transport Minister Andrew Jones who said: “Our £38m investment will help Britain become a world leader in this exciting and valuable technology sector, creating skilled jobs of the future as part of our long-term economic plan. It will also mean lower running costs for motorists and less fuel consumption, which is good for the environment and our economy.”

David Latimer, CEO of Magnomatics, said: “We are delighted to be working with this consortia to bring our technology closer to market. Changan offer Magnomatics a route into the Chinese automotive market where we expect to see strong growth of car sales. We believe that MAGSPLIT has the potential to be a market leading DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission).”

Dr. Xiaoyu Zhang, General Manager, Changan UK said; “We are pleased that with the involvement of Innovate UK, Changan is able to evaluate this promising UK technology against other world class proposals for hybrid transmissions. Changan UK’s success in designing and developing our future powertrain products means we are well placed to do so and are further pleased that this project promotes closer collaborative ties between the UK and China.”

Andy Poon, CEO of Romax Technology, said: “As the markets change and expand, so does the need for innovative, fast technology. This project allows Romax to embed its practical engineering know-how and latest simulation capability in the centre of the design and development of the next generation of vehicle drivelines.”