Introduction:

A Traction Motor is an electrical motor as a driving force for vehicles such as locomotives, Electric or hydrogen vehicles, elevators, or electric multiple units. Traction motors are used in electrically powered rail vehicles and other electric vehicles including electric milk floats, elevators, roller coasters, conveyors, and trolleybuses. Also in vehicles with electrical transmission systems (Diesel-electric Locomotives, electric hybrid vehicles), and battery electric vehicles.

Traction means producing frictional force between two surfaces without slipping and this can be produced electrically or non-electrically. The Electric Traction Motor is an electric motor which is used for driving a vehicle such as electric railways or electric vehicles. It is more efficient compared to the non-electric system and offers several benefits such as quick start and stop, pollution-free, and easy to handle. This type of motor has a specific class in industrial motors as they require a high rate of acceleration/deceleration, high torque low-speed hill-climbing, low-torque high-speed cruising, and a very wide range for operating speed.

Market Drivers

• Rising Funding in Rail Sector

The rail sector is considered as the most energy-efficient mode of transport for shipping goods and passengers. Out of the total, rail carries 8% of passengers globally and 7% of world shipping goods. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), three-quarters of passenger rail transport is electrified. As the rail sector is very energy-efficient funding in this sector is increasing exponentially, especially in the segment of high-speed rail and metro. All these funding are directed towards the electrified rails and metro which are manufactured using electric traction motor. Thus, the rising funding in the rail sector may contribute to the growth of the electric traction motor market, during the forecasted period.

• Rising Adoption of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles are growing rapidly worldwide. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2018, 5.1 million electric cars were operating globally, which were 2 million more than the previous year. Electric two-wheelers were 260 million in 2018 and electric buses were around 0.46 million. Also, the number of electric vehicles in shipping is also increasing robustly. Such rapid adoption of electric vehicles in every sector can open new market channels for the traction motor manufacturers. Thus, the rising adoption of electric vehicles may contribute to the overall growth of the electric traction motor market, during the forecasted period.

Market Challenges

• Complexity in Designing

The designing of an electric traction motor is more difficult as compared to any other electric motor because the load characteristic of the traction motor is fluctuating in nature. There are numerous challenges faced by the manufacturers while designing the traction motor. Limited space and volume are available for installing physical weight per axle in the envelope of the traction motor. Many constraints have to be taken care of while designing like temperature, weight, compactness, or cost. Thus, complexity in designing can be challenging for the growth of the electric traction motor market, during the forecast period.

New Info and Developments

The major market growth strategies adopted by key players in the electric traction motor market include investments & expansions, contracts & agreements, and new product launches. Contracts & Agreements was the most adopted strategy between January 2015 and February 2020. Mergers & acquisitions have emerged as a key approach, as companies look forward to support their service offerings and geographic market reach by proposing their product.

• Amphenol Corporation

Amphenol Corporation (US) is one of the leading manufacturers of interconnect products globally. The organization designs manufacture, and markets electrical, electronic, fiber-optic connectors, interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and sensor-based products, and high-speed specialty cables. The company offers electric traction motors under the interconnect products and assemblies segment, which was the highest revenue-generating division in terms of net sales in 2018. Amphenol’s key business strategy is global diversification across its product portfolio and its operational regions.

In July 2017, the corporate launched a replacement product named Amphe-PD, which may be utilized in data center equipment, robotics, and industrial automation. It has also expanded its business in the US by setting up a manufacturing unit, which would help the company to strengthen its product portfolio.

• ABB

ABB is a power and automation technology company. It offers a wide range of products, systems, solutions, and services to various industries such as oil & gas, power generation, and transport & infrastructure globally. The company operates through 4 divisions, namely, electrification products, motion, industrial automation, and robotics & discrete automation. It offers an electric traction motor in the motion business segment. ABB has a strong electrical motor product portfolio supplying to industrial, commercial, and residential users. The company also offers services that complement its products and solutions, including design and project management, engineering, installation, training and life cycle care, energy efficiency appraisals, preventive maintenance, and digital services such as remote monitoring and software tools.

The company is strengthening its market position and gaining market share through new contracts and long-term supply agreements. In February 2020, ABB was awarded a contract by Chittaranjan Locomotives Works. The scope of the contract was to supply traction equipment worth USD 26 million.

In July 2019, ABB won traction equipment orders worth more than USD 140 million from Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler. The company is expected to supply equipment that uses the latest technology for trains and locomotives deployed in the US and across Europe.

In February 2019, ABB won its largest traction equipment order in India, worth more than USD 37 million. The scope of the contract is to supply converters and motors for electric locomotives in Varanasi (India).

• Siemens

Siemens is a technology company with a long history of providing products and services to utilities and industries. The company conducts its industrial business through the following operating business segment; digital industries, smart infrastructure, gas and power, mobility. Apart from these industrial business segments, Siemens also offers solutions through financial services and portfolio company segments.

The company offers electric traction motor under its portfolio companies’ business segment. Through the same business division, the company also offers converters and generators (large drive applications), gear units and couplings (mechanical drives), and sorting technology and solutions for mail, parcel, baggage, and cargo handling (Siemens Logistics). The company caters to the needs of a diverse set of industries with a key focus on automation, digitalization, intelligent infrastructure, conventional and renewable power generation, power distribution, smart mobility, and medical technology.

In July 2017, Siemens received an order to design and supply traction systems for dual cab high horsepower diesel engine locomotive for diesel locomotive works (DLW) for the Indian Railways.

In April 2016, Siemens and Valeo (France) partnered together for venturing and selling high-voltage electric motors, range extenders, and chargers used in electrified cars and light commercial vehicles.

In February 2015, Siemens received a contract from Diesel Locomotive Works to supply and supervise the installation and commissioning of the three-phase propulsion system and three-phase traction motors for the Indian Railways.

Market Segmentation

According to a report published by Dataintelo, the Global Electric Traction Motor Market is estimated to reach USD 30.9 Billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 18% during the forecast period, between 2020 and 2026. The market is segmented by Type (AC and DC), Power Rating (Below 200 kW, 200-400 kW, and Above 400 kW), Application (Railways, Electric Vehicles, Elevators, Conveyors, and Industrial Machinery), and Region (Middle East & Africa, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe).

Key Players

Key Players in the market include Weg Sa, Toshiba, Skoda Electric, NIDE, General Electric (GE), CG Power, Bosch, Siemen, Traktionssysteme Austria, Alsto and Crr.

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