ZF has introduced the High Revolution Drive, a 3-in-1 electric motor capable of reaching 30,000 rpm. This unit is part of the company's modular SELECT platform and is intended for mass-market passenger vehicles. By increasing rotational speed, ZF reduced the motor's torque requirements, allowing for a smaller and lighter design.
The system features a two-stage spur gear transmission with an 18:1 ratio. The current prototype delivers a peak output of 200 kW and 3,500 Nm of peak wheel torque. Compared to a standard SELECT drive operating at 18,000 rpm, this new version is approximately 25% smaller and 25% lighter, while requiring 50% less magnet mass.
The architecture supports both 400 V and 800 V systems and is scalable for power outputs between 150 kW and 200 kW. ZF reports an efficiency rating of nearly 93%. The company is currently negotiating with multiple automakers and expects to begin production of the drive by 2030.
To manage noise and vibration at high speeds, ZF engineered the motor, gearing, and bearings as an integrated system. According to Thomas Meiser, head of the E-Mobility unit, the modular nature of the SELECT platform allows the company to adapt the drive to specific customer needs without developing new systems from the ground up.
