German supplier ZF has unveiled the High Revolution Drive, an integrated electric vehicle powertrain that reaches rotational speeds of 30000 rpm. The compact system combines the electric motor, power electronics, and a two stage transmission into 1 single unit to cut overall weight by 25%. ZF is currently negotiating with vehicle manufacturers and aims to start series production by 2030.
The electric motor spins at 30000 rpm to generate 200 kW of peak power. Higher rotational velocity reduces required motor torque, allowing engineers to shrink the rotor volume. A two stage helical cylindrical gear setup with an 18:1 ratio converts this high spin into 3500 Nm of peak torque at the wheels. Thomas Meiser, Head of the E Mobility Business Unit at ZF, stated:
Rather than optimizing individual components in isolation, we systematically coordinate the electric motor, power electronics and transmission.
The complete package is nearly 25% smaller and 25% lighter than comparable drive units operating at 18000 rpm. Magnet mass drops by 50%, lowering production expenses and cutting reliance on scarce raw materials. Even at elevated rotational speeds, the system achieves an efficiency rating of nearly 93% across both 400 and 800 volt architectures. Lower overall weight directly aids passenger car driving range.
ZF designed the motor as a variant of its modular SELECT platform, targeting passenger cars requiring 150 to 200 kW of output. Using an existing architectural base lets automakers adapt the unit to various vehicle sizes without redesigning systems from scratch. Internal testing confirmed that 30000 rpm serves as the economic and technical target for balancing vibration control, gear noise, and component wear. Production lines are projected to begin output by 2030.
