A Need for Speed
- $179.312M Market Capitalization
Exro Technologies Inc. (EXRO.T) announced today that it has completed side-by-side testing, using Exro’s 100 Volt Coil Driver and Zero Motorcrycles’ OE premium electric powertrain. For context, Exro collaborated with Zero to demonstrate that the Company’s Coil Driver is capable of improving power and torque without compromising efficiency.
“The results are further proof of Exro’s ability to improve performance and efficiency in low voltage electric vehicle applications and reinforce great confidence in our engineering and development teams’ ability to deliver superior technology to the electric mobility markets. We’ve delivered on our technology commitments and are moving forward to the next phase of collaboration for commercialization with Zero,” said Sue Ozdemir, CEO of Exro.
I still vividly remember trying to jump a curb on my mountain bike only to fail, fall, and get clotheslined by a stop sign. The best part is, a car full of people saw the whole ordeal and made sure to mockingly cheer me on. I have since sold my bike. However, I am not entirely opposed to motorcycles, especially sports bikes. Seeing as motorcycle sales accounted for USD$124 billion in 2021, it looks like I am not alone.
Aside from being kind of obnoxious, motorcycles are incredibly versatile and customizable. In addition to having better gas mileage than your standard car, insurance for a motorcycle can be much cheaper in some instances. So how do motorcycles shape up in terms of environmental sustainability? Although dated, let’s take a look at a test conducted by MythBusters.
Case Study
In their study, MythBusters selected three motorcycles and three cars representing popular models from the 80s, 90s, and 00s. All six vehicles were put through a 30 minute, 20-mile course, with 75% consisting of freeway driving and the remaining 25% taking place in the city. As expected, motorcycles were more fuel-efficient than cars and emitted less greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (Co2).
Why am I mentioning this? Well, while motorcycles were indeed more fuel-efficient, they emitted far more smog-forming hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. While the 00s motorcycle used 28% less fuel and emitted 30% less C02 than the comparable 00s car, it emitted 416% more hydrocarbons, 3,220% more oxides of nitrogen, and 8,065% more carbon monoxide.
Collaboration Results
The bottom line is, while motorcycles may be more fuel-efficient, they aren’t necessarily better for the environment. With this in mind, Exro’s collaboration with Zero was intended to demonstrate to the electric motorcycle industry that Coil Driver can improve power and torque without compromising efficiencies. Over the course of 18 months, Zero provided motor technology and integration support.
“We collaborated with Exro to evaluate performance enhancements for our electric motorcycles and showcase our commitment to focused and continuous product innovation. We saw a significant increase in motor torque and power with the Exro 100 Volt Coil Driver and are excited to continue our evaluation with Exro,” said Ryan Biffard, technical lead for powertrain development with Zero.
On the other hand, Exro was responsible for producing and delivering power electronics that were designed to meet the bike’s specific performance requirements. According to test results, Exro’s 100 Volt Coil Driver increased both power and torque in Zero’s SR/F motorcycle with a Z-Force 75-10 motor, when compared to Zero’s current Z-Force system.
Testing Method
In order to evaluate Coil Driver, a dynamometer was used to determine torque and power outcomes during testing. Furthermore, comprehensive simulations were conducted prior to testing using Ansys software, the first simulation-driver design tool combining multi-physics simulation capabilities. Ansys was used to predict the performance of the Coil Driver system for the ZF75-10 motor.
Results from testing confirmed a less than 4% deviation from the simulated results. Moreover, in order to ensure consistency, all testing was conducted at 100 Volts and within the DC power limit. Results were as follows:
This new set of test results from Zero’s motorcycle with Exro Coil Driver achieved over 13% more speed, 15% more torque, and 33% more power, compared to Zero’s base ZF75-10 motorcycle. Overall, data from drive efficiency testing delivered on expectations, demonstrating Coil Driver’s ability to improve power and torque without compromising efficiencies.
In addition to Exro’s latest collaboration with Zero, the Company has conducted similar tests with other motorsport partners, including Untilted Motorcycles. With this in mind, additional test results support Exro’s brand growth in the affordable light electric vehicle solutions market. To date, the Company’s Coil Driver has been proven to make electric motorcycles faster, more powerful, and last longer on a single charge.
Coil Driver
Exro’s Coil Driver utilizes coil switching to optimize an electric motor’s performance on-demand while maximizing a vehicle’s motor and battery. For context, coil switching refers to the switching of electric motor configurations while in operation to optimize factors such as speed and torque. So what makes Coil Driver so special?
Unlike traditional coil switching, Coil Driver has combined two different formats of power electronics to improve acceleration, gradeability, and high-speed torque, while also reducing the number of power electronics in a vehicle. If you’d like to know more about Exro’s Coil Driver, check out this article.
Recently, on February 10, 2022, Exro announced that its Coil Driver technology was named a finalist for the 2022 Edison Best New Product Awards in the automotive technology category. Keep in mind, for a company in the innovation space, recognition by the Edison Awards is like winning a Nobel Prize. That being said, this represents a monumental achievement for the Company and further supports Exro’s brand.
“Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to electric vehicle manufacturing, our innovative Coil Driver technology can be scaled up or down, using our own motor design, or integrating with others. Our ability to do all this, while enhancing EV performance and reducing costs sweetens the deal for our partners,” commented Sue Ozdemir.
I like Exro’s technology, however, the Company is in a bit of hot water right now following a patent infringement lawsuit filed by ePropelled, a company that designs intelligent motors, motor controllers, generators, and power management systems. As if offended by the lawsuit, on February 16, 2022, Exro filed a defamation lawsuit against ePropelled for making a damaging, defamatory, and meritless statement about the Company.
Needless to say, things are getting pretty spicy in Exro’s court, literally. However, Exro is definitely a company I will be keeping an eye on as the Company continues to expand its brand. At this rate, I will likely be able to afford a house before I can fill up my car. That being said, it’s only up for the Electric Vehicles market, which Exro has positioned itself nicely in. Keep in mind, this market is expected to reach USD$823.75 billion by 2030, compared to USD$163.01 billion in 2020. Wow.
Exro’s share price opened at $1.34 today, up from a previous close of $1.29. The Company’s shares are up 3.88% and were trading at $1.34 as of 12:01 PM EST.
