Automotive electric motor maker YASA opens new production facility
February 13, 2018
YASA’s production technology on display at its Oxford plant opening (Courtesy YASA)
YASA Ltd, Kidlington, UK, a manufacturer of compact, lightweight axial-flux electric motors and motor controllers for a wide range of hybrid and electric vehicles, has opened a new production facility in Oxford, UK. The opening follows the signing of long-term development and supply agreements with customers in the automotive sector and a further investment of £15 million in growth funding for the company. Universal Partners joined Parkwalk Advisors and other existing investors in the round, bringing the total raised by the company to £35 million.
At the official opening of the facility, the company displayed a number of YASA-powered vehicles, including cars from Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Williams Advanced Engineering. In addition to automotive, YASA motors are used in marine applications and in aerospace where high power density and torque density are critical.
YASA’s axial-flux electric motors contain a number of pressed stator cores manufactured from soft magnetic composite iron powder, they are said to offer best-in-class power and torque densities and are suitable for both hybrid and pure electric vehicle applications. This gives automotive manufacturers the opportunity to improve vehicle performance whilst reducing weight.
A Jaguar featuring YASA components was on display during the opening (Courtesy YASA)
Speaking at the opening, Dr Chris Harris, YASA CEO, explained, “Our customers are looking to adopt innovative new technologies such as YASA’s axial-flux electric motors and controllers in order to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding hybrid and pure electric automotive market. This additional £15 million in growth funding will enable YASA to further invest in the volume production capacity necessary to meet our customers’ requirements, and to address markets beyond automotive including aerospace and marine.”
Andrew Birrell, of Universal Partners, added, “YASA has unique and highly differentiated axial-flux motor technology that offers clear advantages in terms of power and torque density compared to their competition in class. We are pleased to have the opportunity to invest and are very excited by the prospects for the company.”
Alastair Kilgour, Chief Investment Officer at Parkwalk Advisors, said, “YASA has made excellent commercial progress over the past two years and we are pleased to continue to support the Company in this latest financing round. With the rapid growth of electrification in automotive and other sectors such as aerospace and marine, we believe YASA has huge business potential.”
