ELAPHE POGONSKE TEHNOLOGIJE DOO

Their core work

Elaphe is a Slovenian technology SME that develops in-wheel electric motors and integrated propulsion systems for electric vehicles. Their core product is a direct-drive in-wheel powertrain that eliminates gearboxes and axle shafts, enabling new vehicle architectures from light urban EVs to commercial vehicles. They contribute drivetrain integration, torque vectoring, and chassis control expertise to EU research consortia, and have moved from component-level R&D toward full system integration including suspension, battery technology, and reliability engineering.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, Elaphe focused on demonstrating electric drivetrains in light urban vehicles and proving out their in-wheel motor concept, with projects like EU-LIVE, Silver Stream, and their flagship coordinated project PRODRIVE aimed at making their technology production-ready. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted sharply toward full system integration — in-wheel powertrains with chassis control (EVC1000, SYS2WHEEL), reliability and quality assurance for mass production (iRel40, HiEFFICIENT), and adjacent technologies like solid-state batteries and micro-mobility platforms. The trajectory is clear: from proving the technology works to making it manufacturable and commercially viable at scale.

Elaphe is transitioning from R&D-stage component developer toward a production-ready systems integrator, increasingly engaging with reliability, quality assurance, and adjacent technologies like batteries and micro-mobility.

How they like to work

Elaphe operates almost exclusively as a specialist partner (12 of 13 projects), contributing in-wheel motor expertise to large consortia rather than leading them. Their single coordinator role — PRODRIVE, also their largest grant at over EUR 1M — was specifically about scaling their own technology to production readiness. With 189 unique partners across 18 countries, they are a well-connected hub in the European EV research ecosystem, comfortable working in diverse multinational teams and trusted to deliver a specific, high-value technical component.

Elaphe has built a broad European network of 189 unique consortium partners across 18 countries through 13 H2020 projects, reflecting their position as a sought-after specialist in EV drivetrain consortia. Their network spans automotive OEMs, power electronics labs, battery developers, and urban mobility researchers across the EU.

What sets them apart

Elaphe is one of very few companies globally with deep expertise in direct-drive in-wheel electric motors — a niche technology that eliminates mechanical transmission components and enables radical vehicle design freedom. Their 13-project H2020 portfolio demonstrates both the technology's versatility (from e-kickscooters to commercial vehicles) and a deliberate march toward manufacturing readiness. For consortium builders, they bring a rare combination: a technology SME with a proprietary product, proven ability to integrate into diverse vehicle platforms, and growing competence in reliability engineering for mass production.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PRODRIVE
  Their only coordinated project and largest single grant (EUR 1.05M) — focused specifically on making their in-wheel motor production-ready, signaling core strategic priority.
• EVC1000
  Largest participant grant (EUR 899K) targeting 1000 km daily range EVs with electrified in-wheel powertrains and chassis control — their most ambitious system integration effort.
• DREEM
  Shows strategic expansion into micro-mobility (e-kickscooters) and intermodality — applying in-wheel expertise to an entirely new vehicle category and business model.