Australia’s Talga Resources (ASX: TLG) announced that it will be part of the OCTOPUS project, an initiative whose goal is to deliver the ultimate single unit e-axle solution designed specifically to meet Bentley Motors’ performance specifications.
Within the project, Talga has to develop and provide graphene materials for the high-performance electric motor windings. The main objective is to deliver an aluminium-based solution aimed at outperforming, and ultimately replacing, the copper windings currently used.
Talga owns multiple natural graphite deposits in Norrbotten County, north Sweden. Its flagship Vittangi project hosts the highest grade JORC/NI 43-101 resource in the world with a total resource 12.3Mt @ 25.5% graphite using a 17% cutoff
“The improved motor windings form part of the project’s aim of developing next-generation, lightweight, high-performance component systems that integrate the latest advanced materials and manufacturing techniques,” the West Perth-based company said in a media statement. “The components are to be tested at sub-system and system level for an integration route into future e-axle designs.”
The e-axle concept combines electric motor, power electronics and transmission into a compact, electric drive solution for hybrid and battery-only electric vehicle applications. Bentley and other automotive manufacturers are focused on the e-axle concept as a way to reduce vehicle weight and improve performance.
Funding for Talga’s participation in this project will be provided by the IDP15: The Road to Zero-Emission Vehicles competition, which is organized by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK.