NTN Starts the First Demonstration Project of Microcompact Mobility Equipped with the In-wheel Motor in Japan

[Microcompact mobility registered vehicle lent to Ise City in Mie Prefecture]

NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) delivered a two-seater EV (microcompact mobility) equipped with the in-wheel motor developed by NTN to Ise City, Mie Prefecture. The vehicle will be the first to acquire registration of microcompact mobility in Japan^*1 and will be used to embark on a public road demonstration project.

This initiative comes about as NTN participates as a local company in the “Okagesama Action! For residents and visitors^*2” action plan aimed at developing a low carbon society in Ise City. NTN will provide microcompact mobilities equipped with the in-wheel motor system to suit plans by Ise City to create a community where EV and other modes of transport can be used to coincide with Shikinen Sengu festivals celebrating the transfer of deities to new shrines constructed at Ise Jingu shrine once every 20 years. A total of five microcompact mobilities will be delivered and used as official Ise City vehicles for one year, and will also be used by council members of the Ise Chamber of Commerce and Ise City Tourist Association, as well as on model tourist courses.

On September 30, a delivery ceremony was held at Ise City Hall, and NTN handed the key of the microcompact mobility to Ise City Mayor Suzuki and Ise City Low Carbon Society Establishment Council Chairman Paku. Mayor Suzuki expressed his appreciation by stating “this demonstration project is the first corporate partnership with the Council, and combined with this year's Shikinen Sengu, a tradition dating back some 1,300 years, I am overjoyed to call this historical Ise City home to such innovative technology.”

The vehicles being delivered can seat one adult each in the front and rear (or two children in the rear), and are microcompact mobilities that offer excellent access for use in urban and tourist areas. Powered by proprietary developed in-wheel motor systems installed in the rear two wheels, the layout means no engine, transmission or related components are required, which gives the vehicles greater handling due to their compact size, a more spacious interior, and great convenience when traveling to tourist attractions or historic sites located down narrow streets. Independent control of the left and right wheels ensures reliable drive power for outstanding driving stability.

NTN Chairman Suzuki (left) handing the key to Ise City Mayor Suzuki (center) and Council Chairman Paku (right)

Mayor Suzuki in the driver's seat and Council Chairman Paku in the rear seat of the delivered microcompact mobility

The microcompact mobility equipped with NTN's in-wheel motor system underwent repeated development and testing since its maiden voyage in Shizuoka Prefecture in April last year, and acquired a light vehicle registration number^*3 in Shizuoka Prefecture in August this year before starting the demonstration project. A similar public road demonstration project is also underway overseas in France.

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 various system products for next-generation vehicles. NTN will continue to accelerate development of cutting-edge technology, and increase the number of activities designed to popularize the microcompact mobility more quickly.

*1	“First registration in Japan”: the first microcompact mobility equipped with an in-wheel motor in Japan. Mie Prefecture will be certified with Ise City, Tsu City and other regions as areas of operation of NTN's EV (microcompact mobility).
*2	“Okagesama Action! For residents and visitors”: an action plan created by the “Ise City Low Carbon Society Utilizing EV Establishment Council” established as a model business in Mie Prefecture to achieve goals of the Mie Prefecture Global Warming Countermeasure Action Plan and Ise City Global Warming Prevention Action Plan.
*3	“Acquired a light vehicle registration number”: press release http://www.ntn.co.jp/english/news/news_files/press/news201300067.html

[ In-wheel Motor System and the Two-seater Microcompact Mobility ]

Features of the In-wheel Motor System for Compact EVs -Effective use of free space and greater design flexibility- (1) Compact in-wheel motor module A thin hub bearing has been used, allowing it to be mounted within the wheel. (2) Drivetrain integrated into a systemized unit Drive motor, reducer, hub bearing, control system (including inverter) (3) Independent control of drive power to left and right wheels

In-wheel Motor System for Compact EVs (installed in rear two wheels)

Vehicle specifications

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