Chalmers-Derived Eliro Technology Halves Material Use in Electric Motors, Boosts European Supply Chains

Swedish startup Eliro Technology, spun out from Chalmers University research, is pioneering an electric motor design that significantly cuts material consumption and production costs while maintaining high performance. The new motor technology combines radial and axial flow motor characteristics, aiming to halve the use of critical raw materials, particularly rare earth metals.

Eliro’s CEO Cajsa Jonsson highlights the demand for compact, lightweight motors in sectors like marine propulsion, where the company targets initial applications such as bow thrusters and shaft propulsion. Crucially, the design enables substituting rare earth magnets with European-sourced ferrite magnets, substantially reducing dependency on non-European suppliers like China, and strengthening European supply chains.

Developed by Chalmers alumni Jesper Bergström and Ruben Willner during their thesis work—and backed by Chalmers Ventures—the motor promises easier recycling due to its straightforward disassembly. A patent application was filed in December 2025, and the first physical prototype is slated for construction in autumn 2026. Following prototype development, Eliro plans collaboration with potential customers in pilot projects, aiming for broader adoption in electrified transport and encompassing full drivetrain solutions including batteries and converters.