POSCO has initiated the development of high-efficiency electrical steel to enhance the range of electric vehicles, partnering with Hyundai Motor Company and other industry leaders.
On Thursday, POSCO launched its research and development efforts with a kickoff meeting at the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology in Pohang. The project, titled, Development of 6.5% Silicon Content Wide Electrical Steel and Manufacturing Technology for EV Range-Enhancing Cores and Drive Motors, marks a significant step forward in automotive innovation.
This initiative is part of the Specialized Steel Plate Technology Development Project for Core Automotive Components, backed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Industrial Technology Planning and Evaluation Agency.
POSCO is spearheading the research, collaborating with a consortium of automotive manufacturers and parts suppliers including Hyundai Motor, SL, and Polfair Electric. The project also brings together leading research institutions such as the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, University of Ulsan, Pukyong National University, and the Korea Metal Materials Research Association.
The cornerstone of this national project is to master the production of wide electrical steel with 6.5% silicon content, a crucial component for high-efficiency motors. The team aims to integrate this advanced material into electric vehicle drive motors, validating its impact on extending driving range.
Electrical steel with higher silicon content is prized for its ability to minimize power loss during high-speed motor operation, thereby boosting overall efficiency. However, the material becomes increasingly brittle as silicon content rises, presenting significant challenges in manufacturing thin, wide sheets. This project seeks to overcome these hurdles by standardizing mass production techniques for these advanced wide materials.
Following the kickoff meeting, the participating organizations cemented their commitment by signing a multi-party memorandum of understanding (MOU). This agreement ensures collaborative research efforts across the entire value chain, from material development to core production and drive motor manufacturing.
“This collaboration represents more than just a corporate partnership, said Jo Myung-jong, director of POSCO’s Future Steel Research Institute. “It’s a pivotal moment in the convergence of steel and future mobility industries, ushering in a new era of electric energy. It’s dedicating the resources to developing cutting-edge, high-value-added materials and component technologies that will significantly boost energy efficiency. The goal is to maximize the synergy between academia and industry in this groundbreaking endeavor.