The Future of Axial- and Radial-Flux Motors

The rise of axial-flux motors has created a fundamental question: are traditional radial-flux architectures becoming obsolete? In a new article published in Battery & Electrification Technology Magazine, Helix’s Chief Innovation Officer Andrew Cross explains why both motor types will continue to dominate different segments of e-mobility.

While axial flux motors offer theoretical power density advantages in space-constrained applications, their double air gap introduces significant engineering challenges—requiring extremely tight production tolerances and expensive materials. More critically, scalability proves problematic: increasing torque requires complete tooling redesigns, whereas radial-flux motors simply extend in length. This makes radial flux substantially more cost-effective for volume production and the industry standard for applications requiring scalability.

The answer isn’t replacement—it’s coexistence. Axial flux will serve niche high-performance applications where axial length is severely constrained, while radial flux remains the foundation of mainstream e-mobility, advancing through innovations in thermal management and motor geometries.

Read the full article: The Future of Axial- and Radial-Flux Motors — Battery & Electrification Technology Magazine