Electric Panda with Electronic Gearbox – Real-World Testing on Demo Vehicles
Sector: E-Mobility / Advanced Testing
Internal pilot project in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino
Project Summary
To validate our patented electronic gear-shifting system integrated into brushless motors, FACOS developed three electric demonstration vehicles based on the Fiat Panda.
The project enabled real-world road testing of our two-speed automatic shifting logic and smart regenerative braking, under daily usage conditions over a 2-year period.
Background
The FACOS electronic gearbox simulates a two-speed mechanical transmission, increasing torque or speed dynamically.
To verify stability and efficiency in real-life scenarios, we converted three combustion vehicles to electric, implementing the full FACOS system architecture, and conducted extended road testing to confirm performance and operational continuity.
Project Goals
- Validate the automatic gear-shifting logic under real conditions
- Monitor long-range performance and continuous usage efficiency
- Assess the smoothness of modular regenerative braking
- Test full integration of all FACOS modules in lightweight urban vehicles
FACOS Solution Implemented
NAUTY 900 → integrated inverter, BMS master, and onboard AC charger
BatteryPack LiFePO₄ – 80V / 50Ah → compact self-heating lithium battery
EPM900 → energy management unit with DC-DC converter
- FACOS-developed brushless motor with dual-winding electronic gearbox
- Custom firmware with automatic shifting logic and three-level regenerative braking
- Browser-based interface for data logging and dynamic testing
Results Achieved
- ✅ Complete electric conversion of internal combustion vehicles
- ✅ Over 30,000 km driven over 2 years in urban and mixed-use settings
- ✅ Successful road validation of automatic gear-shifting logic
- ✅ Stable performance and smooth transition between the “two speeds”
- ✅ Comprehensive testing of regenerative braking performance
- ✅ No operational downtime, with continuous technical support and logged telemetry data
Want to test FACOS’ electronic gearbox or integrate it into your own electric vehicle platform?
We can provide a complete drive system or support you with a technical demonstrator.