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DeepDrive, a Munich-based startup, has announced a significant milestone: it has been nominated by a major automotive manufacturer to supply electric motors for a mass-production project. This development marks a substantial step forward for the company, which has previously produced its e-motors only in very small quantities. The series production is slated to commence in 2028.
Details of the Partnership and Production Volume
As of now, the identity of the automotive manufacturer and the specific electric vehicle models that will utilize DeepDrive’s motors have not been disclosed. The official statement from DeepDrive also refrains from revealing the exact production volume. However, in an interview with Automotive News Europe, CEO Felix Pörnbacher indicated a potential production volume ranging from 100,000 to one million units.
DeepDrive’s Innovative E-Motor Technology
DeepDrive’s electric motor is based on a dual-rotor radial flux architecture. In this design, the stator is positioned between an inner and an outer rotor. This innovative configuration, according to the company, allows for exceptionally high torque density combined with low weight, all at comparatively low costs. DeepDrive has developed this technology for three distinct applications: as a generator, as a wheel hub drive, and as a central drive. The validation of the motor has already been successfully completed.
From Student Project to Global Supplier
The founders of DeepDrive met while participating in the TUfast student motorsport team at the Technical University of Munich. They subsequently established DeepDrive as a startup in 2021. Since its inception, the company has attracted significant investment from Leitmotif, BMW i Ventures (now Aumovio’s Capital Venture Unit), UVC Partners, and Bayern Kapital. In 2024, DeepDrive successfully raised 30 million Euros in an oversubscribed Series B funding round, which will be utilized to establish new production lines at its new location north of Munich.
Previous Timelines and Market Expansion
The initial target for mass production was set for 2026, indicating a two-year delay in the current timeline. In 2024, it was also reported that eight of the ten largest automakers were among DeepDrive’s clients through joint development initiatives. Today, the company states it has clients in Europe, the USA, and China.
DeepDrive is actively expanding its presence in China, where it is building its own team in Shanghai to accelerate market penetration. The company adheres to a
