Ashwoods Electric Motors
Ashwoods Electric Motors Limited designs and manufactures Interior Permanent Magnet and axial-flux permanent magnet electric motors for automotive, materials handling, and off-highway vehicle OEMs, with integrated inverters and telematics, on a direct B2B sales model across the UK, Europe, and Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersExeter, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ashwoods Electric Motors does
Ashwoods Electric Motors Limited is a privately held UK designer and manufacturer of permanent magnet electric motors, headquartered in Exeter, Devon. Founded in 2003 originally as a vehicle conversion business and spun out as a standalone motor company in 2012, the company focuses on Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motors and Axial Flux (Surface Mount Permanent Magnet) motors that it markets as up to 70% lighter, 70% smaller, and 20% more efficient than traditional brushed-DC or induction alternatives while remaining cost-neutral or cheaper. Core product lines include IPM motors (24-400V, 5-50kW), the ELMO axial-flux series (up to 60kW), traction and pump motor solutions, integrated inverters via partners such as Curtis, Sevcon, ZAPI, DMC, KEB and Inmotion, and telematics through its sister company Lightfoot.
The company sells direct to enterprise OEMs across automotive (e.g., Morgan EV3 drivetrain, TATA APU), materials handling (Royal Mail hybrid vans, forklift programmes), off-highway vehicles, marine, mining, and industrial segments, complemented by a channel partnership with Okinaya for Japan and co-development with transmission partners such as Oerlikon Fairfield. Revenue is generated via hardware sales of motor units and integration packages plus engineering services (prototype, simulation, dyno testing, validation), with quote-based B2B pricing and multi-year contracts typical. The company has accumulated more than 30 million miles of in-field validation across 700+ vehicles, holds 3 granted and 3 pending patents, has secured non-dilutive government funding (a £1.2M Regional Growth Fund grant and participation in an Advanced Propulsion Centre UK forklift consortium), and was recognized in 2010 as the fastest-growing cleantech company in Europe with 22 subsequent business and innovation awards.
Ashwoods Electric Motors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ashwoods Electric Motors
- Legal name
- Ashwoods Electric Motors Limited
- Website
- https://ashwoodselectricmotors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ashwoods Electric Motors Limited designs and manufactures Interior Permanent Magnet and axial-flux permanent magnet electric motors for automotive, materials handling, and off-highway vehicle OEMs, with integrated inverters and telematics, on a direct B2B sales model across the UK, Europe, and Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ashwoods Electric Motors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Motors
- NAICS
- Motor and Generator Manufacturing (335312), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632)
- SIC
- Motors & Generators (3621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AC Motors (Induction, Synchronous) (IMAGACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric Drive Unit / E-Axle Manufacturing (Motors/Inverters/Gearboxes) (IMACACAC), Axle, Differential & Final Drive Manufacturing (Front/Rear/E-axle housings) (IMACAHAG)
Keywords
Where Ashwoods Electric Motors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Exeter
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ashwoods Electric Motors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Electric Motor Sales: Sale of permanent magnet electric motors including Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motors, Axial Flux motors, and pump/traction drive solutions to automotive, materials handling, and off-highway vehicle markets.
- Custom Motor Solutions and Engineering Services: In-house engineering team providing prototype development, testing and validation, consultancy services, custom motor solutions, and dyno testing facilities.
- Telematics and Diagnostic Solutions: Supply of telematics and diagnostic solutions through sister company Lightfoot, including GPS tracking, safety features, system diagnostics, and asset management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation for IPM motors operating at 24-400V producing 5-50kW power |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ashwoods Electric Motors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ashwoods Electric Motors designs and manufactures lighter, smaller, and more efficient permanent magnet electric motors for the automotive, materials handling, and off-highway vehicle markets. Their portfolio includes Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motors and Axial Flux (Surface Mount Permanent Magnet) motors, complemented by traction and pump drive solutions, partnered inverters, telematics, and in-house engineering services for custom motor solutions.
Product overview
Ashwoods Electric Motors offers a portfolio of lighter, smaller, and more efficient permanent magnet electric motors for automotive, materials handling, and off-highway vehicle markets. The core product lines include Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) Motors (24-400V, 5-50kW) and Axial Flux Motors (ELMO Series, up to 60kW). These are complemented by add-on modules including Inverters (partnering with Curtis, Sevcon, Zapi, DMC, KEB, Inmotion) and Telematics Solutions through sister company Lightfoot. Sub-products include Permanent Magnet Traction Motors (3-25kW), Pump Motors (5-25kW, 95% efficiency), Hybrid Van Conversions, and Electric Go Kart Motors. The portfolio is unified around permanent magnet synchronous motor technology offering up to 96% efficiency, with engineering services supporting custom solutions and integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) Motors Ashwoods IPM motors are up to one-third the size and weight and up to 15% more efficient than traditional induction and brushed DC motors. Operating at 24-400V and 5-50kW, they are cost neutral or cheaper than traditional motor technologies and are aimed at off-highway traction, automotive, and industrial markets.
- Axial Flux Motors (ELMO Series) Surface Mount Permanent Magnet axial flux motors (ELMO Series) delivering high power with high efficiency in air-cooled and liquid-cooled variants. Range covers ELMO-S80 (24-48V, 7-10kW), ELMO-S112 (48-120V, 10-25kW), ELMO-D144 (48-120V, 25-45kW), ELMO-D252 (120-400V, 25-50kW), and ELMO-D576 (400-600V, 50-60kW). Used in hybrid vehicles, off-highway, automotive, and industrial markets.
- Permanent Magnet Traction Motor Solutions High efficiency permanent magnet traction motors for vehicle propulsion enabling extended range on a single charge, supplied as complete solutions with transmission manufacturer partners. Specifications include 3-25kW rated power, 150Nm maximum torque, 24-700V operating voltage, and 8500RPM maximum speed.
- Permanent Magnet Pump Motor Solutions Permanent magnet motors for powering hydraulic pumps in materials handling, automotive, off-highway, and industrial applications, with multiple pump interface options. Specifications include 5-25kW rated power, 275Bar maximum pressure, 120 L/min maximum flowrate, 24-700V operating voltage, and 95% efficiency.
- Hybrid Van Conversions Hybrid conversion systems and complete solutions for commercial fleets to save fuel costs and avoid congestion charges. Based on Ashwoods' proprietary compact and efficient motor in volume production globally.
- Electric Go Kart Motors Standard air-cooled electric motors for go-kart applications outperforming traditional induction and brushed DC motors, rivaling liquid-cooled high power motors while reducing running costs and total weight. Deployed at go-kart tracks across Europe.
- Configured Inverters Fully configured inverters supplied alongside Ashwoods motors for automotive (48-400V), off-highway (24-72V), and industrial (48-600V) applications, sourced from partner manufacturers Curtis, Sevcon, ZAPI, DMC, KEB, and Inmotion. Ashwoods has additionally developed high-voltage inverters with an integrated coolant loop for the APU program.
- Telematics and Diagnostic Solutions (via Lightfoot) Telematics and diagnostic solutions supplied alongside Ashwoods motors through sister company Lightfoot, including GPS asset tracking, safety features, system diagnostics via CANbus, geofencing asset management, utilisation reporting, web interface, and 2-way communication for remote firmware upgrades and system diagnostics.
- Engineering Services In-house engineering consultancy delivering simulation using real-world data, advanced testing facilities with capability for extensive transient drive cycles, prototype vehicles, testing and validation services, and custom motor solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Motors can be up to 70% lighter and 70% smaller than traditional motors
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Ashwoods Electric Motors
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ashwoods Electric Motors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature6 records
Ashwoods Electric Motors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Oerlikon FairfieldcoreAshwoods Electric Motors and Oerlikon Fairfield co-presented a paper entitled 'Compact, High Efficiency Electric Drive System' at the 16th International VDI Drivetrain Conference 2016. The partnership developed an integrated system using Oerlikon Fairfield Torque Hub with Ashwoods Interior Permanent Magnet motor, incorporating a brake solution for the off-highway market.
- TATAcoreDevelopment of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) with TATA, a tier 1 OEM automotive manufacturer. The APU was displayed at LCV Show 2015.
- OkinayaregionalJapanese distributor appointed in 2015 to expand distribution in the Japanese market.
- LightfootcoreSister company providing telematics and diagnostic solutions to vehicle fleets and consumers. Lightfoot offers GPS asset tracking, safety features, system diagnostics, geofencing, and 2-way communication for remote firmware upgrades.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ashwoods Electric Motors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Equipmake: UK-based electric powertrain company making motors and inverters for bus, truck, off-highway, and specialty vehicle electrification. Targets similar materials handling and off-highway segments as Ashwoods, with comparable focus on compact, lightweight PM motors.
- Turntide Technologies: US/UK company that acquired and rebranded Anderson Electric Motors, producing switched reluctance motors and motor controls for HVAC, pumps, and commercial building applications. Similar OEM sales motion and adjacent target verticals (industrial pumps, fans, materials handling).
- Saietta Group: UK-based electric motor company (formerly Agility Motors) focused on proprietary axial-flux permanent magnet motors for light electric vehicles, marine, and commercial applications. Competes with Ashwoods in axial flux traction drives and weight-conscious EV niches.
- YASA Limited: UK-based manufacturer of axial-flux permanent magnet electric motors for automotive and EV applications. Closest direct competitor to Ashwoods' Axial Flux (ELMO Series) line, competing head-to-head on power density and efficiency in similar voltage/kW ranges.
- Magnax BV: Belgium-based developer of yokeless axial-flux permanent magnet motors targeting automotive, motorcycle, aerospace, and high-performance applications. Overlapping axial-flux technology, customer segments (EV traction), and value proposition (high power density, efficiency).
Broad incumbents
- ZF Friedrichshafen: German Tier-1 automotive supplier with the EVplus / ZF Electric Drive portfolio of e-motors, 800V inverters, and e-axles for passenger and commercial EVs. Comparable in producing permanent magnet and asynchronous motors plus integrated power electronics.
- BorgWarner: Global Tier-1 automotive supplier (BorgWarner including LEJ / Delphi Technologies) producing IPM and hair-pin EV traction motors, inverters, and integrated drive modules for major OEMs. Overlaps with Ashwoods in IPM/hair-pin traction motors and inverters for passenger EV and hybrid applications.
- REMY International / Nidec: Global electric motor manufacturer (Nidec acquired the former REMY/KDS traction motor business) producing PM and hair-pin motors for EV traction and traction applications. Comparable in producing integrated PM motors at OEM scale.
- Robert Bosch (Bosch eMobility): Major Tier-1 supplier of EV traction motors (including Bosch SM Torque and PM rotor variants) and inverters for global OEMs. Competes in the same motor + inverter space Ashwoods targets, but at very different scale.
- Dana Incorporated (Dana TM4): Supplier of Dana TM4 permanent magnet synchronous motors, inverters, and electric drive systems for commercial vehicles, off-highway, and industrial markets — directly competing with Ashwoods in off-highway electrification.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ashwoods Electric Motors social profiles
Digital presenceAshwoods Electric Motors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ashwoods Electric Motors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Ashwoods Electric Motors subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Ashwoods Electric Motors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ashwoods Electric Motors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ashwoods Electric Motors
What does Ashwoods Electric Motors do?
Ashwoods Electric Motors designs and manufactures lighter, smaller, and more efficient permanent magnet electric motors for the automotive, materials handling, and off-highway vehicle markets. Their portfolio includes Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motors and Axial Flux (Surface Mount Permanent Magnet) motors, complemented by traction and pump drive solutions, partnered inverters, telematics, and in-house engineering services for custom motor solutions.
Is Ashwoods Electric Motors a public or private company?
Ashwoods Electric Motors is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ashwoods Electric Motors founded?
Ashwoods Electric Motors was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ashwoods Electric Motors based?
Ashwoods Electric Motors is headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Ashwoods Electric Motors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electric Motor Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Motor Solutions and Engineering Services and telematics and Diagnostic Solutions.
Who are Ashwoods Electric Motors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Equipmake, Turntide Technologies, Saietta Group, YASA Limited and Magnax BV. Broad incumbents are ZF Friedrichshafen, BorgWarner, REMY International / Nidec, Robert Bosch (Bosch eMobility) and Dana Incorporated (Dana TM4).
Does Ashwoods Electric Motors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ashwoods Electric Motors.
What industry is Ashwoods Electric Motors in?
Ashwoods Electric Motors's product category is Electric Motors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGACAA, AC Motors (Induction, Synchronous), with a secondary code of IMACACAC, Electric Drive Unit / E-Axle Manufacturing (Motors/Inverters/Gearboxes). Its NAICS code is 335312 and its SIC code is 3621.