Design of an Axial-Flux Interior Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor for Automotive Application: Performance Comparison with Electric Motors Used in EVs and HEVs

The use of permanent-magnet (PM) machines for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) has grown substantially in recent decades. This is due to their high torque/power performances, especially when rare-earth PMs are used. Furthermore, high efficiency and, with adequate control, large speed operation range can be reached. In this paper, an axial-flux (AF) machine type interior PM (IPM) is designed to be used in HEV application. Machine performances will be described and compared to those of conventional IPM motors used in current commercialized EVs and HEVs.