Tiny Electric Motor Is as Powerful as Four Tesla Motors Combined

• An axial flux electric motor from Yasa set a new unofficial power density record.
• The working prototype weighs just 28 pounds but makes more power than two Tesla Model 3 Performance EVs combined.
• The new motor outperforms the previous record holder by a whopping 40%.

A new axial flux electric motor made by UK-based Yasa just set a new unofficial power density record, outperforming the previous record holder–also made by Yasa–by an impressive 40%.

The company’s new, fully functional prototype was recently put to the test on a dynamometer, where it hit a staggering peak of 750 kilowatts (1,005 horsepower), all while weighing just 28 pounds (12.7 kilograms). That’s an unprecedented power density of 59 kW/kg.

Photo by: YASA

By comparison, the previous record holder from Yasa weighed 28.8 lbs (13.1 kg) and achieved a peak power of 550 kW (737 hp), corresponding to a power density of 42 kW/kg. What’s more, the new, more powerful and slimmer axial flux motor is almost four times more potent than the rear electric motor fitted to the newly introduced Tesla Model Y Standard, which is rated at 200 kW (268 hp) in Europe. It's also more powerful than two Tesla Model 3 Performance EVs combined, seeing how the peak output of one car is 460 hp.

But peak power is not everything. While it can help during short bursts–when overtaking, for instance–the continuous power output rating is even more important, and Yasa says its new fully operational prototype is capable of delivering between 350 and 400 kW (469 to 536 hp) continuously. 

That’s not all, though. The UK-based company says that its record-breaking axial flux motor is scalable and doesn’t use any exotic materials, which means it can be mass-produced as soon as there is demand for it.

“This record demonstrates what makes YASA unique,” said Joerg Miska, the company’s CEO. “With three times the performance density of today’s leading radial flux motors, YASA continues to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in electric motor design – turning pure innovation into tangible engineering progress. Our technology is delivering measurable results today, while paving the way for a new generation of lightweight, efficient electric propulsion systems.”

Lightness is extremely important in electric cars, and an electric motor as light and as powerful as Yasa’s new unit could lead to meaningful range gains. Less weight means a smaller battery is needed to travel the same distance as a heavier EV with a bigger battery. A smaller battery also means it takes less time to recharge.

Yasa’s axial flux motors are already being used in the automotive industry, but they’ve been reserved for very expensive cars such as the Lamborghini Temerarior and Ferrari 296 GTB, where they work alongside a combustion engine. The Mercedes-AMG GT XX Concept, which is expected to spawn an all-electric super grand tourer, uses three Yasa axial flux motors for a total output of over 1,000 kW (1,360 hp).

As with many innovations, the best of them usually make their way into expensive items first, but they eventually trickle down to more attainable models as costs go down and production ramps up. Let’s hope the same happens with axial flux motors for EVs.

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- The InsideEVs team