Mercedes acquires YASA

Mercedes-Benz has acquired electric motor company YASA, giving it access to the UK-based operation’s axial flux motor technology and expertise.

YASA will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, with its own brand, 250-strong team and premises: an HQ and production facility in Oxford, UK and innovation facility in Welshpool, Wales.

The company was founded in 2009 and regards its proprietary axial-flux electric motor technology as a step-change from the legacy radial technology on which most of the electric vehicle market still depends. Its technology won the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in 2018 and it has been working with Mercedes-Benz since 2019.

“We’ve always been pioneers in next-generation electric drive technology. Now, as part of Mercedes-Benz, we’re going to redefine the future of driving performance, said YASA CEO, Chris Harris. “We’ll provide electric motors for Mercedes-Benz’s AMG.EA electric-only platform, while acting as an innovation partner pioneering new electric drive technology for the wider Group and also continuing to supply our existing automotive supercar customers.”

Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG and Head of the Top End Vehicle Group, said, “We warmly welcome YASA to Mercedes-Benz. YASA’s impressive axial-flux technology allows future fully electric Mercedes-AMG performance cars to stay a step ahead of the competition. Thanks to electric motors with higher power density and continuous torque delivery we will redefine the future of driving performance.”

Evolito, a new company spun out by YASA to commercialise its next-generation electric motor technology and IP for the rapidly-growing aerospace market, launched publicly last month as a privately-owned business.

Gareth Morris, Managing Director, Evolito, said: “Electrification in aerospace is some 10 years behind that of the automotive industry, but the market potential is huge. Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing, Electric Helicopter, Fixed-Wing and Urban Air Mobility aircraft need high power density, low weight electric powertrains with inherently high safety factors – a combination of attributes that are unique to our axial-flux electric motor and power electronics. By leveraging YASA’s unique IP in the aerospace market, Evolito will fast-track the commercialisation of electric flight and transform mobility as we know it.”