Advances on IPM technology for hybrid cars and impact in developing countries

The past thirty years have been an exciting period for tremendous advances in the development of interior permanent magnet (IPM) electrical machines. Over the course of this time, interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSM) have expanded their presence in the commercial marketplace from few specialized niche markets such as machine tool servo drives to mass-produced applications including high-efficiency electric traction drives for the latest generation of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV). Power ratings of available IPM motor drives have dramatically expanded by approximately three orders of magnitude during this period, now reaching power levels up to 1 MW ratings. What are the factors that made such impressive progress possible? Closer examination reveals that several different knowledge-based technological advancements and market forces have combined, sometimes in fortuitous ways, to accelerate the development of the impressive IPMSM drives technology that we find available today. The purpose of this paper is to provide a broad explanation of the various factors that lead to our current state-of-the-art IPM technology. This highly efficient energy conversion technology has enormous impacts on the world electrical energy supply and demand utilizing conventional fossil fuel sources like oil, coal and gas. Examples will illustrate commercial successes of Toyotapsilas hybrid electric vehicles like PRIUS, utilizing the latest developments in knowledge based highly efficient and smart automobiles now and in the very future.