Skip to main content

Electrified transmissions to become the preferred choice for premium OEMs

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan predicts that electrified transmissions will experience increased penetration in both European and North American regions due to the increased focus on hybrid vehicles and their positive impact on emissions and fuel economy. However, end-user preference for automatic transmissions (AT) in North America and for manual transmissions (MT) in Europe will dictate the market penetration of the type of transmission technology with integrated electric motors.
June 21, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSNew analysis from Frost & Sullivan predicts that electrified transmissions will experience increased penetration in both European and North American regions due to the increased focus on hybrid vehicles and their positive impact on emissions and fuel economy. However, end-user preference for automatic transmissions (AT) in North America and for manual transmissions (MT) in Europe will dictate the market penetration of the type of transmission technology with integrated electric motors.

The Electrification of Transmissions in Europe and North America study finds that the electrified transmissions market sales are set to grow to 1.3 million units in the North American and European markets by 2017. AT will be the prime choice for electrification, followed by dual-clutch transmissions (DCT), although the electric drive axle systems (EDAS) will prove to be a tough competitor.

“The demand for lower emissions and increased fuel economy has sharpened the focus on hybrid vehicles,” says Frost & Sullivan senior research analyst Bharath Kumar Srinivasan. “While the integrated technology solutions are driven by the hybrid market itself, the technologies being quick and simple solutions, offer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) an easier way to hybridise the vehicles without making too many modifications to the engine, chassis and vehicle as a whole.”

In North America, the electrification of automatic transmissions (ATs) will suit the transmission manufacturer as there is no necessity to modify manufacturing setups of ATs; replacing the torque converter with an electric motor offers improved results. On the other hand, driving patterns and dynamics particular to Europe have led to the emergence of both transmission electrification and EDAS systems, which will vie for the top spot in Europe.

Related Content

  • BMW i3 could ‘boost electric vehicle market’
    July 31, 2013
    According to Frost & Sullivan, BMW's ibrand could have a halo effect as did the Prius for Toyota. It could boost the market for electric vehicles which has had a slow uptake rate and also position BMW's brand as the most innovative premium OEM. Commenting on the launch of the new BMW i3, the electric supermini for sale in November, Frost & Sullivan said: "BMW is the first of the traditional premium manufacturers to take a leap of faith into the EV space with the i3. Like most car companies, BMW also sells 7
  • IDTechEx forecasts electric motor systems to become a US$400 billion market in 2027
    March 24, 2017
    IDTechEx Research finds that the traction motor business will rise to around US$400 billion in 2027. Its report, Electric Motors for Electric Vehicles 2017-2027, navigates the jargon, the design options and the disagreements. The changing needs and evolving technology are matched to create ten year market forecasts and technology timelines based on recent intensive travel and interviews by expert PhD level analysts. The report reveals how the rotating electric machine (REM) system is taking a larger sha
  • Peer-to-peer car sharing expected to become the next big thing in the market
    October 22, 2013
    Frost & Sullivan’s recent customer research study on car sharing in select European cities reveals that the market is fast gaining ground. Residents in a number of cities in France, Germany as well as in the UK are currently multi-modal transport users. While only one out of four claim familiarity with the car sharing concept, once familiar, the interest levels in these services zip to 38 per cent.
  • Study looks at air quality impacts of low carbon buses
    December 11, 2013
    A new report prepared by Ricardo for the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) to review the air quality impacts arising from the recent rapid increase in the number of low carbon buses in the UK recommends that the legislation needs to consider hybrid technology impacts in the test processes to avoid potential unintended consequences in terms of local emissions. As they mainly operate in urban areas, local emissions from buses are of particular significance. Reviewing worldwide test processes for