CourseMotorcycles & 2-Wheelers Applications open

Hub vs. motors course mid-drive for e-bikes

Online course of 300 hours in hub versus mid-drive motors for electric motorcycles, structured in 6 modules covering electric motor types, hub motors, mid-drive motors, technical comparison and controllers and inverters, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration3 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the types of electric motor used in motorcycles.

02

Explain the advantages and drawbacks of the hub motor.

03

Analyse the integration of a mid-drive motor with its transmission.

04

Compare both configurations using technical and economic criteria.

05

Configure a controller for an electric motor.

06

Calculate suitable reduction ratios.

07

Select the propulsion configuration for a vehicle.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Electric motor engineers.
  • Electric vehicle engineers.
  • Power electronics technicians.
  • Electric motorcycle technicians.
  • Test technicians.
  • Product engineers choosing powertrains for new models.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter electric motorcycle manufacturing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 60034-1 (rating and performance of rotating electrical machines)
  • UN/ECE Regulation No. 85 (measurement of net power of electric drive trains)
  • UN/ECE Regulation No. 136 (electrical safety of L-category electric vehicles)
  • ISO 13064-1 (battery-electric mopeds and motorcycles, vehicle operation)
  • ISO 6469-3 (electrical safety of electrically propelled road vehicles)
  • Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 (approval and market surveillance of L-category vehicles)
  • IEC 60529 (degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code))
  • Motor-CAD
  • ANSYS Maxwell
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • JMAG
  • PLECS
Syllabus

6 modules

  1. 1.1Permanent-magnet synchronous motors
  2. 1.2Axial-flux and radial-flux motors
  3. 1.3Induction motors
  4. 1.4Torque, power and speed
  5. 1.5Power density
  6. 1.6Efficiency and performance maps
  7. 1.7Rare-earth magnets
  8. 1.8Motor cooling
  9. 1.9Noise and vibration
  10. 1.10Workshop: reading a motor efficiency map
  1. 2.1Integration in the rear wheel
  2. 2.2Direct drive without transmission losses
  3. 2.3Unsprung mass
  4. 2.4Effect on the suspension
  5. 2.5Torque at low speed
  6. 2.6Limited cooling inside the rim
  7. 2.7Maintenance and tyre changes
  8. 2.8Application in scooters
  9. 2.9Performance limitations
  10. 2.10Practical: analysis of a scooter hub motor
  1. 3.1Frame-mounted motor
  2. 3.2Belt or chain drive
  3. 3.3Reduction gears and ratios
  4. 3.4Centralised mass and agility
  5. 3.5Better weight distribution
  6. 3.6Liquid cooling of the mid-drive motor
  7. 3.7Application in high-performance motorcycles
  8. 3.8Greater mechanical complexity
  9. 3.9Integration with the swingarm
  10. 3.10Lab: calculating the reduction ratio for a mid-drive motor
  1. 4.1Overall efficiency
  2. 4.2Dynamic behaviour of each solution
  3. 4.3Manufacturing cost
  4. 4.4Maintenance and component accessibility
  5. 4.5Robustness against impacts
  6. 4.6Hill-climbing performance
  7. 4.7Noise perceived by the user
  8. 4.8User assessment
  9. 4.9Manufacturer trends
  10. 4.10Case study: hub-motor scooter versus mid-drive
  1. 5.1Inverter power electronics
  2. 5.2Field-oriented vector control
  3. 5.3Position sensors
  4. 5.4Current limits
  5. 5.5Riding modes
  6. 5.6Regenerative braking from the controller
  7. 5.7Thermal and overcurrent protection
  8. 5.8Communication with the BMS
  9. 5.9Diagnosis of controller faults
  10. 5.10Case study: configuring a controller for a mid-drive motor
  1. 6.1Defining the vehicle and its use
  2. 6.2Performance requirements
  3. 6.3Comparing configurations
  4. 6.4Motor selection
  5. 6.5Transmission design
  6. 6.6Controller selection
  7. 6.7Motor test bench validation plan
  8. 6.8Cost analysis
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Motor-CAD, ANSYS Maxwell, MATLAB/Simulink, JMAG and PLECS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for reading efficiency maps, calculating transmission reductions and configuring controllers on a test bench. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final project.

Standards covered: IEC 60034-1, UN/ECE Regulation No. 85, UN/ECE Regulation No. 136, ISO 13064-1, ISO 6469-3, Regulation (EU) No 168/2013, IEC 60529.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 60034-1, UN/ECE Regulation No. 85 and UN/ECE Regulation No. 136 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Motor-CAD, ANSYS Maxwell, MATLAB/Simulink, JMAG and PLECS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a propulsion selection study for a defined electric motorcycle, comparing hub and mid-drive and specifying motor, transmission and controller, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Define vehicle and requirements
Set the vehicle, its use and the performance it must deliver.
Compare configurations
Evaluate hub and mid-drive layouts on efficiency, dynamics, cost and maintenance.
Select motor and transmission
Choose the motor and design the transmission with the right reduction ratio.
Select controller and validate
Specify the controller and plan validation on a motor test bench.
Final project
Present the propulsion choice with cost analysis and report.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Electric motor engineerElectric vehicle engineerPower electronics technicianElectric motorcycle technicianTest technicianProduct engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Motor-CAD, ANSYS Maxwell, MATLAB/Simulink, JMAG and PLECS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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