Schedule a Call Back
A motor that reduces dependence on Chinese raw materials
Industry News- Aug 29,24
The ferrite magnets used in these motors are supplied by Mahindra group’s CIE Automotive.
Mechanical engineer Gopal Sriram found his path to entrepreneurship after a chance encounter with IIT-Madras professor and innovator Ashok Jhunjhunwala in 2018. Sriram’s self-funded startup, Viridian Ingni Propulsion, has developed motors that not only reduce dependence on Chinese raw materials but are also "at least 30% cheaper than conventional motors."
Professor Jhunjhunwala, who established the IIT Madras Research Park in 2009, had shared with Sriram that the anticipated boom in electric vehicles would drive significant demand for motors. However, the downside was that existing motors rely on magnets made from rare earth materials like neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium—largely imported from China.
Leveraging his industrial experience from companies like Hallite India and Atlas Copco, Sriram embarked on creating motors that could operate using India-made ferrite magnets.
His efforts bore fruit as his six-month-old company recently introduced its ‘permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motors’ at a startup financiers’ meeting held at the IIT Madras Research Park.
These motors are a hybrid design, combining the strengths of reluctance motors with the added power of permanent magnets. In a motor, 'reluctance' refers to the torque generated as the rotor aligns itself to facilitate the magnetic field's flow. This blend of reluctance and permanent magnets results in motors that are powerful, efficient, reliable, yet simple and low-maintenance.
The ferrite magnets used in these motors are supplied by Mahindra group’s CIE Automotive.
Viridian's motor features rated power and torque of 1.2 kW and 4 Newton-metres; peak power and torque of 2 kW and 24 Nm; rated speed and peak speed of 2,865 rpm and 4,000 rpm, respectively; and an efficiency of 92%.
According to Sriram, Viridian’s motor outperforms competitors like CY Gold, Yufeng, and Lucas TVS in most performance metrics while being significantly more affordable. The cost advantage comes from using ferrite magnets, priced at Rs 350 per kg, instead of rare earth materials that cost around Rs 7,500 per kg.
The motor also excels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A study by Keisuke Isomura of Toyota Motor Corporation revealed that producing 1 kg of rare earth magnet emits 75.8 kg of carbon dioxide, compared to just 1.57 kg for ferrite magnets.
Currently, the company is developing a controller for the motor, with testing expected to be completed by December. Sriram anticipates beginning production by June 2025, with an initial output of 1,000 units, primarily for e-rickshaws. Other applications include electric bikes and various appliances.
Viridian Ingni Propulsion has already secured a Rs 1 million grant from the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu and Rs 500,000 from the Central government’s Nidhi Prayas scheme for technology entrepreneurs. The production phase will require an initial funding of Rs 100 million, scaling up to Rs 500 million at full capacity.
(BusinessLine)
Related Stories
Electrical & Electronics
IIT Bombay and Indus Towers sign MoU to pioneer sustainable energy technologies
The pioneering effort to develop Perovskite Solar Cell technology aims at surpassing the limitations of conventional silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells.
Read moreGears, Motors & Drives
We are shaping a low-carbon future through our platforms: Neeraj Kulkarni
For new and emerging industries, particularly those built around green hydrogen, e-mobility, or large-scale data centers, maintaining a stable and resilient power supply is crucial, says Neeraj Kulk..
Read moreAuto & Auto Components
Numeros Motors and IIT Bhubaneswar to pioneer RE-free motor topologies
The collaboration is intended to support India’s clean mobility goals by reducing dependence on rare earth materials—key components in traditional EV motors—and by encouraging local innovation..
Read moreRelated Products
Tata Motors unveils facilities for development of Hydrogen propulsion tech
AUTO COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES
Tata Motors, India?s largest automobile company, unveiled two state-of-the-art & new-age R&D facilities for meeting its mission of offering sustainable mobility solutions. The unveilings constitute of Read more
Tata Motors plans petrol powertrain for Harrier and Safari SUVs
AUTO COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES
Tata Motors is in the process of developing a new petrol powertrain for its premium sports utility vehicles, the Harrier and Safari, as confirmed by a senior company official. Currently, these models Read more
Electric Vehicle Charger
AUTO COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES
RRT Electro is engaged in manufacturing of customized Power Electronic Products over two decades having capability to Design, Develop, Prototyping, Regulatory Compliance testing & Certification, Manuf Read more
latest News
Subscribe to iNoW
For Industry News on WhatsApp, Give a Miss Call on: +91 84228 74016
