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Last Updated: Apr 25, 2025 | Study Period: 2024-2030
Electric buses are taking over public transportation across the world. Electric buses are built with the same vehicle body as traditional diesel buses. It is critical to lower the unloaded and rolling weight of the electric bus for regular city transit since it will considerably lessen the burden on the electric motors.
The system that causes the propulsion of a vehicle in which that driving force or tractive force is obtained from various devices such as electric motors, steam engine drives, diesel engine dives, etc. is known as traction system. Traction systems may be broadly classified into two types. They are electric traction systems, which use electrical energy, and non-electric traction systems, which do not use electrical energy for the propulsion of vehicles.
In EV/HEVs, electric motor drives are the most essential component. In a series hybrid vehicle, the electric motor drive is usually the only source of torque. The electric motor is the torque source in parallel and seriesâparallel hybrid cars, providing peak torque (power) to fulfil vehicle performance requirements such as acceleration.
Because fossil-fuel-powered motor cars, trains, and aircraft account for around one-quarter of worldwide energy consumption â and roughly the same amount of global carbon-dioxide emissions â clean transportation is crucial in the battle against climate change.
These emissions are hazardous to both the environment and human health. The needs of the main electric motor (bus drive) is calculated by the traction power analysis of the vehicle. The traction force required to drive the vehicle is influenced by several resistances that act while the vehicle is moving.
S No | Overview of Development | Development Detailing | Region of Development | Possible Future Outcomes |
1 | Nidec, Foxconn, Foxtron In Discussions To Establish EV Joint Traction Motor Venture | This JV aims to ensure a stable supply of traction motors and other automobile motors for Hon Hai, Foxtron and to expand sales opportunities of new markets and customers for Nidec. | Taiwan | This would enhance better EV Technologies and production |
2 | MAHLE manufactures Traction motor for EV including Electric Buses without Rare Earth Metals | New improvements boost the efficiency of inductive motors to make them competitive with ethically fraught rare earth permanent magnet motors. The Mahle motor uses wireless inductive power transmission inside that because the parts are contact-free, they do not wear from friction. | USA | This would help in better presence and social responsibility on increased levels of requirements |
3 | Schaeffler Group Hybrid EV drive unit. | The company will design and manufacture a hybrid EV drive unit which will incorporate two electric traction motors as well as transmission unit with power electronic unit to begin production in 2024. | USA | The hybrid unit will improve the adaptability of the motor set to be incorporated in different series of vehicles. |
The global electric bus traction motor market is a growing market with a number of developments and innovations taking place. Here are some of the key developments and innovations in the market:
S No | Overview of Development | Development Detailing | Region of Development | Possible Future Outcomes |
1 | new high-voltage EV wiring harness by Aptiv | The new solution is lighter, more compact, and more durable than previous generations of EV wiring harnesses. It is also designed to be more efficient, with lower resistance and less heat generation | Ireland | lighter, more compact, and more durable |
Electric buses are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental and economic benefits. Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, which helps to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are also more fuel-efficient than traditional diesel buses, which can save operators money on fuel costs.
Electric bus traction motors are becoming more efficient and powerful, thanks to technological advancements such as the use of permanent magnets and new materials. This is helping to improve the performance and range of electric buses.
The electric bus charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, making it easier for operators to deploy and operate electric buses. This is also helping to reduce the range anxiety associated with electric vehicles.
The electric bus charging infrastructure is still in its early stages of development in many parts of the world. This can make it difficult for operators to deploy and operate electric buses.
Electric buses have a shorter range than traditional diesel buses. This can be a concern for operators who need to run their buses on long routes.
Siemens has been awarded a contract to supply traction motors for 1,000 electric buses in India. The contract is worth over â¬100 million and is the largest order for electric bus traction motors in the world.
Nidec, one of the world's leading manufacturers of electric motors, is planning to open a new factory in China to produce electric bus traction motors. The factory is expected to start production in 2024 and will have an annual capacity of 100,000 motors.
Bosch has developed a new electric bus traction motor with higher efficiency than its previous models. The new motor is also more compact and lightweight, which can help to improve the range and performance of electric buses.
ABB has been awarded a contract to supply traction motors for 100 electric buses in the UK. The contract is worth over £10 million and is part of the UK government's plan to decarbonize its bus fleet.
The Global Electric Bus Traction Motor Market can be segmented into following categories for further analysis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused sectors around the world to experience disruptions in the supply chain operations due to travel restrictions, lockdowns as well as due to halt in the manufacturing activities. Many motor manufacturing and development companies are codependent on raw materials and intermediate products, whose supply disruptions have caused significant impact on the manufacturing and delivery of finished products.
For instance, China and Taiwan are the key electronic and critical parts manufacturers in the world, whose manufacturing units have been under regulation and lockdown disrupting the supply chain of the entire world.
The automotive market suffered significant revenue reduction during the first quarter of the year 2020. The net sales of the company BorgWagner decreased by 43% in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to the year 2019. However, the company recovered in the third quarter when the net sales increased by 2%. The company Schaeffler recorded a decrease in the net sales by 22.9% during the first half of the year 2020.
The market is set to recover due to the expanding demand for zero-emission vehicles globally with massive research and development investments which have been aiming for improved efficiency and performance. Traction motors being the major operating parts of an electric vehicle, are likely to drive the expansion of this market.
The incentives and subsidies awarded for the purchase of EV across the globe as well as the rising fuel costs for conventional vehicles is expected to enhance the demand for Evs and with further extension, the demand for traction motors.
SiC and GaN power electronics are more efficient and durable than traditional silicon power electronics. Siemens has developed a new electric bus traction motor that is 30% more efficient than its previous models. The new motor is also more compact and lightweight, which can help to improve the range and performance of electric buses.
Integrated motor drives (IMDs) are becoming increasingly popular in electric buses, as they combine the traction motor and power electronics into a single unit. This can help to reduce the size, weight, and cost of the electric bus propulsion system, and improve its overall efficiency.Nidec has developed a new electric bus traction motor that has a higher power density than its previous models. This means that the new motor can produce more power without increasing in size or weight.
Wireless charging technology is being developed for electric buses, which would eliminate the need for physical charging plugs and sockets. This could make it easier and more convenient to charge electric buses.
The 200-400 kW segment is the largest and fastest-growing segment of the electric bus traction motor market. This is due to the increasing demand for medium-sized electric buses. The below 200 kW segment and the above 400 kW segment are expected to grow at a slower CAGR than the 200-400 kW segment in the coming years
E-axles combine the electric motor, transmission, and differential into a single unit. This can help to simplify the electric bus propulsion system and improve its efficiency.
There is a constant use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to develop more efficient and reliable electric bus traction motors.
There is development of new materials, such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, for use in electric bus traction motors to improve the performance and efficiency of electric bus traction motors.
The development of wireless charging solutions for electric buses is another ongoing development. This would eliminate the need for electric buses to plug in to charge, which would make them more convenient to operate.
In May 2021, German based company Mahle started the development of a new magnet-free electric motor which will not require the use of rare-earth materials. The central feature of the motor will be inductive to provide contactless power transmission with efficiency of over 95%. In 2020, Nidec launched new traction motor systems named the kW Ni200Ex and 50 kW Ni50Ex which are based on the companyâs conventional 150 kW E-Axle.
In February 2021, BorgWarner launched its new 800 V electric motor â HVH 320 to power a variety of hybrid and electric applications to be used for commercial vehicles. The motor delivers 97% peak efficiency and over 400 kW of power. It also announced the development of a power integrated drive module (iDM) for Ford motors which will incorporate a complete BorgWarner thermal management system with gearbox integrated with motor and power electronics.
Drive systems for electric bus drive motors must be as efficient as industrial motors in manufacturing plants and commercial buildings. The size and weight of the engine is maybe more essential. For these reasons, a permanent magnet motor with high performance magnets is likely to be the first motor type considered for vehicle drives.
The most recent trend has been the propagation of a possible integrated system of operations featuring high-RPM permanent magnet electric motors, power-dense electronic inverters, and advanced controls that enable electric vehicles which includes mostly E buses to meet the highest standards for efficiency, reliability, and performance. These systems are efficient turnkey solutions optimized for passenger cars and commercial vehicles up to class 2.
There are new ultracompact flameproof high voltage motors, which ensures maximum safety and very reliable operation, even in highly explosive environments. The reason for the unique power density is a revolutionary cooling concept. Very space-saving and efficient in harsh environments.
The water jacket-cooled version designed using CFD optimization also offers significant higher power ratings with no change in unit size. These form to be one of the most essential technologies for integration within the electric traction motors used under the electric bus modules.
The SDT Drive Technology has been introduced on a wide range of high-performance brushless motor drives and a method of control embodied in electronic component architecture and software code (Phase Advance Control) that allows high-speed operation above the base speed that is achievable with constant DC bus voltage.
There has been constant technology battery adoption and automated control system implementation within the EV traction motors requirements under the electric buses segment of operations. The major stakeholders are involved in implementing new strategies of technology to have a better and safer ride for the customers.
The company e-traction, leading producer of retrofitting solutions for buses, has partnered with ViriCiti which is a leading company to provide telematics solution technology. The companies have announced that ViriCiti will now become the standard upgrade option for all electric buses from e-Traction and will be incorporated in the companyâs The Motion2.0 EV powertrain.
In November 2020, the Mahle group announced the commission of a test bench for electric drives in the city Stuttgart, Germany. The company has sanctioned investment worth $3.5 million for the testing center. The equipment will be used to test and develop e-drives and e-axles for a range of hybrid as well as electric vehicles.
The facility will include an e-axle unit which consists of two oppositely mounted load machines with permanent magnet synchronous motors. In February 2020, the company ABB signed a contract with Chittaranjan Locomotives Works to supply them with traction equipment worth $26 million.
ABB released the financial results for the second quarter of the year 2021, where the company recorded orders worth $8 billion which was a 24% comparable increase from the second quarter of the year 2020 which were $6 billion. The revenue came out to be $7.4 billion, an increase of 14% comparable from the same quarter of 2020 which recorded $6.1 billion. The company acquired ASTI mobile robotics group in order to drive the next generation flexible automation sector with autonomous mobile robots.
Siemens AG recently announced the results of the third quarter for the year 2021. The company recorded total revenue worth $23.9 billion in the third quarter of the year 2021, which was a significant increase from $16.2 billion recorded in the third quarter of the year 2020.
The company is set to partner with the automotive component supplier Schaeffler to develop an intelligent diagnostics drive system. The company will integrate its IIoT platform Sidrive IQ with Schaeffler to deliver the drive system.
Ametek announced the results for the second quarter of the year 2021, where the sales were $1.39 billion which was a 37% increase over the second quarter of the year 2020. The operating income of the company increased 39% to $316.6 million.
Nidec Corporation announced the acquisition of the shares of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machines Tool Co. Ltd. in August 2021. The company has undertaken the three subsidiaries of Mitsubishi heavy industries which specialise in the design, development and manufacture of machine tools.
The company also released their financial results for the second quarter of the year 2021 with net sales of $4.07 billion which was a significant increase of approximately 33% from the net sales of $3.06 billion recorded in the year 2020 for the same quarter.
The company partnered with Hon Hai technologies and the Foxtron Vehicle technology of the Hon Hai group for a joint venture. Under the agreement, they will develop electric vehicle drive systems. They will supply products equipped with Nidecâs traction motor system e-axle for customers all over the globe.
In February 2020, the company also announced expansion of its operations by installing three new manufacturing plants in Poland, Mexico and China. These manufacturing units are set up to reduce the cost of electric motors.
Magtec EV buses are part of the much-required manufacturing requirement of the most essential component of operations in the EVs. It has recently introduced the P211 and P180 Traction motors wherein The high performance P211 and P180 traction motors are suitable for most rear-wheel-drive vehicles up to 18 tonne GVW that forms essential under the Electric Buses integration
The P180 motor is suitable for single-decker buses up to 14 tonne and offers 150kW output power, 2000 Nm output torque and a maximum output speed of 2650rpm. The P211 motor is designed for double decker buses up to 18 tonne and offers 200kW output power and drives the differential via a conventional prop shaft. The power controller ensures smooth and reliable traction control during driving and braking. The power controller ensures smooth and reliable traction control during driving and braking.
The DANA TM4 has been another stakeholder involved in production of custom-made traction motors for electric buses at various stages of the production line as per the ordered requirements.
The TM4 SUMO HP HV900 is available with control algorithms that are optimized for generation applications where continuous power generation is the main operating mode. In a series-hybrid, the combined use of the electric traction system, the optimized gen-set and electrified accessories can result in a minimum 50% fuel economy compared to a conventional vehicle.
Sl no | Topic |
1 | Market Segmentation |
2 | Scope of the report |
3 | Research Methodology |
4 | Executive Summary |
5 | Average B2B Price, By Region |
6 | Introduction |
7 | Insights from Industry stakeholders |
8 | Cost breakdown of Product by sub-components and average profit margin |
9 | Disruptive innovation in the Industry |
10 | Technology trends in the Industry |
11 | Consumer trends in the industry |
12 | Recent Production Milestones |
13 | Regulations and Incentive for electric buses, by region |
14 | New product development in past 12 months |
15 | Research focus areas of Traction Motor supplier |
16 | Development of Moter and utilization in Electric Bus Traction Motor |
17 | Market Segmentation, Dynamics and Forecast by Geography, 2024-2030 |
18 | Market Segmentation, Dynamics and Forecast by Power Capacity, 2024-2030 |
19 | Market Segmentation, Dynamics and Forecast by Engine Motor , 2024-2030 |
20 | Market Segmentation, Dynamics and Forecast by Application, 2024-2030 |
21 | Competitive Landscape |
22 | M&A in past 12 months |
23 | Growth strategy of leading players |
24 | Market share of vendors, 2023 |
25 | Company Profiles |
26 | Unmet needs and opportunity for new suppliers |
27 | Conclusion |