Elaphe Propulsion Technologies Ltd
About the Company
Elaphe Propulsion Technologies Ltd. is a Slovenian company that designs and manufactures in-wheel electric motors for vehicles. By integrating propulsion directly into the wheels, Elaphe's technology simplifies vehicle design and improves performance. This innovative approach eliminates the need for traditional gears and transmissions, focusing on electric vehicles, hybrid cars, and other sustainable automotive solutions. The company works with major automakers and is gaining recognition for its contributions to the future of transportation.
The core of Elaphe's business revolves around providing a complete in-wheel motor system, which includes motors, inverters, and control electronics. This technology is particularly suited for high-performance electric or hybrid SUVs, sedans, and trucks. Their solutions are not only efficient but also support environmentally friendly vehicle designs, reducing the energy consumption of cars.
Idea Behind Company
Gorazd, the founder of Elaphe, was initially passionate about physics and mathematics and pursued astrophysics. However, after encountering Andrej Detela, a developer of direct-drive in-wheel motors for electric vehicles, Gorazd became inspired to contribute to this new technology. Motivated by the potential to impact humanity and sustainability, he saw an opportunity in enhancing the design of electric vehicles by eliminating complex traditional powertrains.
Gorazd's vision was influenced by Andrej's deep understanding of physics and their shared goal of using in-wheel motors to revolutionize vehicle propulsion. They recognized that electric vehicles of the future could be more efficient and adaptable if their propulsion systems were built into the wheels themselves, which would free designers to focus on user-centric features.
Creating the Company
The founding of Elaphe was a result of Gorazd and Andrej's collaboration. They began with a scientific approach, starting from fundamental physics and avoiding shortcuts like scaling from other applications. Their focus was on creating a reliable and competitive in-wheel propulsion system that would stand the test of time. This required years of research, simulation, prototyping, and validation testing.
The company grew steadily, starting with just two people and expanding to a team of over 150 employees. Elaphe focused on building the right processes to ensure quality and reliability in its products, working closely with car manufacturers and researchers. Their dedication led them to participate in testing in harsh environments, such as winter conditions in Asia and rigorous reliability testing on multiple platforms.
Launching the Business
Launching Elaphe was a long, challenging process driven by scientific principles and strategic planning. Gorazd and his team drew inspiration from books like Build to Last and The Innovator’s Dilemma, which helped them navigate the business world. The company relied on a combination of self-financing, government grants, and partnerships with European scientific communities to fund its early development.
Elaphe's focus on customer collaboration was crucial to its success. By forming strong relationships with both traditional automakers and new electric vehicle startups, the company ensured its technology was well-integrated into the vehicles of the future. The team also participated in European Union sustainability projects, which helped shape EV policies and secured vital funding in the early years of the company.
Earnings
Today, Elaphe is generating $1.2 million in monthly revenue, with a turnover of over 15 million euros annually. Although the company is still in a pre-mass production stage, its growth is substantial, driven by partnerships with major automotive companies. Elaphe’s in-wheel motor technology is highly sought after, and the company is now focused on scaling up its production facilities to meet increasing demand.
The company has also secured funding from the Slovenian government, which will help support future growth. Despite not yet being a major player in the global automotive market, Elaphe’s impact is growing, and its unique technology positions it to become a significant force in the electric vehicle industry.
