NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) has started a demonstration project of the microcompact EV equipped with NTN's own “In-wheel Motor System” on public roads in collaboration with Annecy City in France.

NTN had been using a compact EV in Annecy City for transportation within NTN-SNR business sites and between plants, as well as for customer test drives. The newly developed microcompact EV “TOO'in”*1 was delivered to Annecy City for use as an official vehicle, and will take part in a public road social demonstration project on a larger scale for one year.

The “TOO'in” microcompact EV used for the social demonstration project is a two-seater vehicle equipped with the “In-wheel Motor System for Compact EVs” developed by NTN, which has a maximum speed of 75 km/h. The body was produced by vehicle manufacturer Lazareth (based in Annecy), and has already been registered as an “L7e”*2 category vehicle, the official standard for electric microcars in Europe. This is the first demonstration test in the world of a microcompact EV equipped with the in-wheel motor as a registered vehicle conducted on public roads.

The “TOO'in” microcompact EV was unveiled at the opening event of the “Annecy International Animated Film Festival” held on June 10, and was used for transportation and deliveries between various venues during the event.

NTN has utilized the technology it has gained through research and development into bearings, as well as maximized the strength of the world's No. 1 share in hub bearings to advance development of the In-wheel Motor System and other system products for next-generation vehicles such as EVs and environmentally friendly vehicles. In Japan, NTN led a social demonstration test of a converted EV in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and is also planning a demonstration project for electric commuters for the “Ultra-compact Mobility Certification System” that was established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism this year.

Conducting a demonstration project in Europe, where development and business plans for next-generation vehicles are more advanced, will help accelerate development of cutting-edge technology designed for the commercialization of EV system products, while also increasing the number of activities designed to popularize the microcompact mobility more quickly.

*1 : TwO in-wheel mOtor inside, referring to the two In-wheel Motor systems installed. Too includes the meaning of Town, while in includes the meaning of Innovation.
*2 : The standard for electric microcars in Europe, with features including a maximum power output of 15 kW (approximately 20ps)



[ Reference: the In-wheel Motor ]

The In-wheel Motor system features a motor mounted directly within the wheel, which drastically allows more effective use of interior space and greater design flexibility. The “In-wheel Motor System for Compact EVs” developed by NTN is an EV system product that has been reduced to such a size and weight that the hub bearing, reducer and motor that make up the in-wheel motor have been mounted within the wheel, and includes a control system consisting of an inverter.

Compact EVs equipped with the in-wheel motor system are expected to play a major role in local communities as a simple model of transport as they are ideal for driving short distances, including shopping, commuting or driving to tourist spots, and are easy to get in and out of, which means that are suited to users of advanced age.

[ Reference: the In-wheel Motor System and the Demonstration Project Vehicle ]



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