iCreate Teams Up IRP Systems and Sona Comstar to Develop Magnet-less E-motor Technology

Ahmedabad, India – iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology) brings together India’s Sona Comstar, a premier global automotive component manufacturer, and Israel’s IRP Systems, a leading provider of cutting-edge electric powertrain solutions for e-mobility, in a one-of-a-kind joint development project that will invent, manufacture, and market a new powertrain globally.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi envisioned iCreate in 2012 when he was Gujarat’s Chief Minister and as the Prime Minister of India, he and the Prime Minister of Israel inaugurated its world-class 40-acre campus in 2018. Supported by the Government of Gujarat and the Government of India, it is India’s leading institution for transforming tech innovation-based start-ups into successful businesses.

Inspired by the philosophy of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ iCreate has launched the ‘iEV Powertrain Project,’ with the goal of Indian companies creating and owning futuristic technology that goes beyond licensing and manufacturing. The project involves India and Israel working together to conceive, design, prototype, and manufacture high efficiency, low-cost, magnet-less powertrain (motor + controller) for electric two and three-wheelers for the global market.

This powertrain will provide Sona Comstar and IRP Systems with a global competitive advantage, to substitute imports worth INR 1,300 crore ($ 200 million) and capture an export market many times this size. iCreate’s ‘iEV Powertrain’ project aims to develop an innovative motor-plus-controller combination that does not rely on rare earth elements such as neodymium, while also providing high efficiency and low cost to manufacturers of electric two and three-wheelers. While there are several motor manufacturers in India, the magnets must still be imported. Furthermore, the rapidly expanding global EV market is looking to diversify supply chains and mitigate the risk associated with reliance on limited and unreliable sources.

Rare earth elements have a significant environmental impact during the mining process, as well as health risks when used in the magnet manufacturing process, apart from needing to be imported. This project lends significant support to climate change and the Paris Accord. As a result, a compelling business case for developing alternative suppliers of EV components, as well as alternatives to rare earth enriched magnets, has emerged.

Moran Price, Co-founder and CEO, IRP Systems, said, “This is another step in IRP’s mission to lead the automotive ecosystem with innovative and sustainable technology. Our technology ensures not only cleaner air but also a more environment-friendly production process and responsible use of natural resources. We are excited to partner with a global, leading player such as Sona Comstar to bring the product to the mass market.”

To this added, Kiran Deshmukh, CTO, Sona Comstar, “We are excited with this partnership as it will help India reduce its dependence on imports of critical raw materials, and is well-aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India. The system developed through this partnership will be environmentally compatible and cost-effective, ensuring the security of natural resources by avoiding the use of rare earth elements.”

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