Talga Resources reveals details of Bentley deal

New materials developer Talga Resources has revealed more details of its deal with Bentley Motors to jointly develop a single unit electric vehicle drive train or e-axle.

The deal, previously announced in @AuManufacturing, will see the company develop technology and materials with the ultimate aim of creating a new electric motor that utilises aluminium windings rather than traditional copper.

The Perth company will develop and provide graphene materials for high performance electric motor windings for an aluminium-based technology solution.

Now the Perth company has told investors that what Bentley calls the Octopus project is being jointly funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK’s ‘road to zero emission vehicles’ competition.

Octopus will receive $6.8 million in funding with Talga elligible for $424,000, approximately 70 per cent of Talga’s total contribution.

Talga managing director Mark Thompson said: “The successful use of Talga graphene material to lend aluminium the properties required to outperform copper in electric motors would be a big advancement.

“For automotive manufacturers, this could reduce vehicle weight and increase performance, safety and driving range while retaining sustainability and economics.”

Talga is building a European battery anode and graphite additive supply chain.

Thompson said: “Lightweight and high performance automotive components perfectly complement our Li-ion battery anode products, and the advancement could pave the way for opportunities to replace copper wire in many large-scale applications globally.”

Picture: Talga Resources

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