UK's AEM Promotes OEM Collaboration to Address EU 2030 Emission Regulations

en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK electric motor manufacturer Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) is calling for closer collaboration between trailer manufacturers and technology partners to address upcoming EU emission regulations. The company is working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bring rare-earth-free motor technology into next-generation trailer designs.

EU Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 brings trailer design within the scope of EU emission regulations for the first time, ending the long-standing practice of treating trailers as passive devices, and sets targets of a 10% CO2 reduction for semi-trailers and a 7.5% reduction for other trailer types from 2030. AEM states that achieving these targets will depend on manufacturers and suppliers collaborating earlier and more openly than ever before.

The regulation confirms that trailer design directly affects a vehicle's fuel or energy consumption, making trailer efficiency a core consideration for manufacturers rather than an afterthought. Although the regulation applies only to vehicles sold within the EU, its impact on design and development will extend to international markets, with its influence not limited to European borders.

To help manufacturers address this challenge, a range of new technologies are being deployed. E-axles are considered one of the most promising options, transforming trailers from passive loads into active contributors to overall vehicle efficiency, reducing the tractor unit's energy demand while also improving the overall performance of both diesel and electric tractor combinations, providing fleets and OEMs with a viable path to compliance. Electric refrigeration systems are another option, replacing diesel units with motor-driven alternatives, eliminating emissions while reducing noise, enabling vehicles to enter Clean Air Zones.

AEM manufactures motors that do not use rare-earth magnets, bypassing a supply chain model adopted by the industry decades ago and still heavily relied upon today. In AEM's view, moving away from this dependence allows OEMs to access a more resilient compliance pathway: technology that is less affected by overseas supply restrictions and better equipped to withstand future disruptions. AEM's magnet-free HDRM motor offers specific advantages in trailer applications: it can freewheel safely when not in use, helping to improve efficiency without adding extra drag.

AEM's collaboration with SAF-Holland has already brought this solution to production. The custom rare-earth-free motor at the core of the SAF TRAKr e-axle provides a lightweight, efficient solution that integrates seamlessly into existing vehicle architectures, helping OEMs secure compliant technology without assuming the supply chain risks inherent in traditional alternatives.

Tom Elliott, AEM's Global Director of Business Development, stated that the industry has clearly expressed its commitment to decarbonization, and the real challenge lies in making the mechanisms work at a practical level, which cannot be achieved through isolated links in the supply chain. He believes that e-axles are becoming an increasingly attractive option because they can provide auxiliary propulsion, reduce load, and recover energy through regenerative means; manufacturers that engage with technology partners early will have the opportunity to turn compliance into a performance advantage.