Comparative Study of Interior Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor Topologies for Motorcycle Traction Application

The trend for vehicle electrification has gained importance worldwide as a solution to the pollution caused by internal combustion engines. In addition, electric vehicles have become a sustainable transportation solution over the years. Consequently, electric motors have gained significant prominence in the field of vehicle manufacturing. Interior Permanent Magnet motors have emerged as the preferred choice for three-phase motor production in electrified powertrain for passenger cars. However, other lightweight transportation systems, such as motorcycles and scooters, have received less attention from the scientific community. This study presents a comparative analysis of four rotor topologies used in interior permanent magnet motors for electric motorcycles. The evaluation of these motors is based on their performance and cost. Research findings indicate that the V-shape topology stands out as the most economically efficient among the four examined topologies. The selection of an optimal rotor topology depends on the specific application, which requires an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses associated with each motor topology.