Electrified powertrain engineering consultancy, Drive System Design (DSD), has expanded its test facilities with two new test cells for high-performance hybrid axles and e-machines
The Leamington Spa-based firm says the move reflects a growing demand for outsourced test capacity suitable for electrified CV powertrains from manufacturers and their suppliers.
The first of the new facilities can deliver input torque up to 2,500Nm and power up to 525kW, with 350kW and 1,100V of battery emulation; the second accommodates e-machines up to 350kW.
The new cells complement existing DSD facilities, which include a 450kW highly transient Engine Torque Pulse Simulator machine for hybridised powertrains and three battery emulators.
David Kelly, Director, Drive System Design said: “As global pressure grows to reduce transport’s contribution to climate change, commercial vehicle manufacturers are turning to electrification in the same way as passenger car manufacturers.
“This has resulted in a significant increase in worldwide demand, not only for design and development work but also for outsourced validation testing.”
For some clients in the commercial vehicle sector, electric propulsion requires new skills beyond their established expertise.
Kelly said: “The duty cycles appropriate for electrified CV powertrains are very different to those for passenger cars, so we are providing engineering support to customers moving into this sector for the first time.
“On the other hand, even customers with long experience in CVs are being surprised by the speed with which the market is changing and are struggling to accommodate the upsurge in test requirements using solely in-house facilities.”
