Gateshead, U.K., and Atlanta, February 11, 2026 – Turntide Technologies, a prominent leader in electric motors, power electronics, and energy storage solutions, is set to reveal its innovative Turntide Axial Flux Electric Drive Unit (EDU) at the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG event. This advanced EDU platform is engineered to provide electric and hybrid system manufacturers with a configurable, proven, and scalable solution that can drastically reduce development timelines and costs, potentially cutting months or even years from the traditional component-level testing phase.
Streamlining Electrification for Manufacturers
In a significant industry shift, many manufacturers are increasingly adopting fully integrated electric propulsion systems, known as EDUs, over separate components like motors, power electronics, and gearing from various suppliers. This transition is driven by critical factors such as the need for faster time-to-market, enhanced efficiency, higher voltage systems, and limited space constraints under vehicle hoods. Validating individual components typically requires extensive testing over months or years, but Turntide's fully validated EDU platform aims to alleviate this burden significantly.
Steve Hornyak, CEO of Turntide, emphasized the platform's versatility, stating, "We've developed a highly configurable and scalable EDU that seamlessly integrates into a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from high-performance recreation vehicles to electric construction equipment. By managing integration, validation, and testing upfront, our EDU reduces the risk, time, and expense associated with launching new products."
Proven Performance in Extreme Conditions
Turntide recently demonstrated the robustness of its technology by competing in the King of the Hammers, one of the world's most demanding off-road races. The Turntide Sierra Echo-R, powered by the Axial Flux EDU platform, made history as the first purpose-built electric vehicle to qualify and compete in the King of the Hammers Desert Challenge. This grueling event, designed to test drivetrain limits under sustained vibration, heavy loads, dirt, dust, and extreme heat, served as a real-world proving ground. The EDU excelled, enduring over 600 miles of harsh desert terrain without any issues, showcasing its durability and performance.
Insights gained from this desert challenge are directly influencing the design of the Turntide Axial Flux EDU, which is tailored to simplify integration and accelerate deployment across various off-highway applications. These include high-performance powersports, heavy construction equipment, automotive sectors, and other off-road uses, highlighting its adaptability and reliability in challenging environments.
Modular Design with Enhanced Efficiency
The new Turntide Axial Flux EDU features a modular platform designed for scalability across diverse vehicle and equipment architectures, while also lowering the total cost of ownership. Compared to traditional radial flux motors, this axial flux EDU delivers a remarkable 53% higher torque density, with 58% less size and 37% less weight. This compact form factor provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a highly efficient, space-saving solution for electrified and hybrid vehicles, enabling better performance and design flexibility.
The platform offers several key benefits:
- Flexibility and Scalability – Ideal for OEMs of all sizes, the EDU supports 400 volts and higher, with single or stacked axial flux motor options to meet diverse customer requirements. Utilizing powerful, stackable axial flux motor technology, power ranges from 73 kW to 220 kW (nominal) and 300 kW to 700 kW (peak), allowing for extensive scalability.
- High Torque in a Compact Form – Axial flux motor technology delivers high torque and power density in a small form factor, reducing overall vehicle weight and freeing up space for larger batteries to extend range. This also enables more precise operation at slower speeds.
- Simplified Gear Design – The low-speed, high-torque performance facilitates the use of less complex gear designs, leading to performance improvements, reduced mechanical complexity, lower weight, enhanced reliability, cost savings, and easier integration and maintenance.
- Shared Cooling System – The motor and inverter share the same cooling system, simplifying integration and maintaining optimal performance under various operating conditions.
From concept to car in just eight months, Turntide's high-performance technology is poised to simplify electrification for manufacturers, significantly reducing time to market and fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry.
