Equipmake

Equipmake is a British technology company that designs and manufactures high-performance electric motors, power electronics, and complete electric vehicle (EV) drivetrains. Founded in 1997 by Ian Foley, an engineer with an extensive background in top-tier motorsports like Formula One and Le Mans, the company leverages its racing heritage to develop advanced electrification solutions. Foley's career began at Lotus Engineering, where he was involved in developing active suspension systems before moving to the Lotus F1 team. He established Equipmake initially as an engineering consultancy focusing on power electronics and control systems. A significant milestone was the development of a hybrid flywheel system in partnership with Williams F1 in 2009, which found success in both F1 and endurance racing and was later applied to commercial hybrid buses. After Williams Hybrid Power was acquired by GKN in 2014, Foley returned his full focus to Equipmake, steering the company towards the development of its own electric motors.

The company's business model is multifaceted, focusing on two primary revenue streams: repowering existing vehicles and supplying components as a Tier 1 manufacturer. Equipmake has gained significant traction in the bus and coach sector by offering its Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED) for retrofitting mid-life diesel and hybrid buses, providing a cost-effective path to electrification for fleet operators like First York. It also supplies its integrated electric drivetrains and individual components to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for new vehicles across diverse sectors, including automotive, aerospace, marine, and construction. The company's strategy includes forming partnerships with major global manufacturers, such as Perkins (a subsidiary of Caterpillar) and Sona Comstar in India, to license its technology and scale production for specialist EV applications. Equipmake listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange in July 2022 to fund its growth.

Equipmake's product portfolio is centered on its proprietary spoke architecture permanent magnet electric motors, such as the APM and HTM series, which are noted for their high power density and compact, lightweight design. These motors, along with inverters and battery systems, form the basis of their complete drivetrains. A key offering is the repowering solution for buses, which involves replacing diesel engines with a complete ZED system, including batteries up to 434kWh, providing a range of up to 200 miles. The company has also developed integral electric buses, like the Jewel E, in partnership with Beulas and Agrale, featuring a battery capacity of up to 543kWh for a range of up to 300 miles. These products serve a wide range of clients from public transport operators to specialist supercar manufacturers like Ariel for its HiPerCAR project.

Keywords: electric powertrains, EV drivetrains, electric motors, bus electrification, commercial vehicle electrification, power electronics, EV retrofit, automotive engineering, Ian Foley, Zero Emission Drivetrain, aerospace propulsion, electric bus conversion, flywheel hybrid, permanent magnet motors, high power density motors, EV components, Tier 1 supplier, vehicle electrification, marine electrification, off-highway vehicles