Sona Comstar signed an agreement with Israel’s IRP Nexus Group to supply a magnet-less drive motor and the matching controller system for performance-oriented electric two and three-wheelers across global markets.
It will develop, manufacture, and supply the new EV drive system through International Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, India’s technology business incubation centre.
As per the pact, IRP, on the other hand, will license its technology to Sona Comstar for the manufacture of the system exclusively in India for the global market, Sona BLW Precision Forgings said in a regulatory filing.
Under the arrangement, Sona Comstar will pay one-time license fees and royalty to IRP Nexus during the term of the agreement which is seven years.
Sona Comstar will have the exclusive rights to manufacture the system in India and non-exclusive rights to sell and distribute it globally.
The System envisages an innovative motor-plus-controller combination that does not use rare earth elements like neodymium, besides offering high efficiency and low cost to manufacturers of electric two- and three-wheelers.
The project is expected to mitigate the risk stemming from dependency on limited and unreliable sources, apart from ensuring a more environmentally friendly production process.
“This can be a game-changer for the EV segment and may bring about a revolutionary change in the automobile industry. The EV industry is likely to benefit from reduced cost of production and will be insulated against supply chain disruptions of rare earth minerals required today for electric motors,” Sona Comstar Chairman Sunjay Kapur noted.
“This agreement will bring a new kind of technology not seen before in electric two and three wheelers, making them much more affordable,” Sona Comstar Managing Director and Group CEO Vivek Vikram Singh stated.
