Meet Elaphe Propulsion Technologies, a pioneering company from Slovenia that specializes in developing in-wheel electric propulsion systems for electric vehicles (EVs). Elaphe's efforts are driven by a clear vision – to enable “the highest safety, comfort, and range of EVs through structured knowledge and innovation,” making it a perfect fit for the EIC Scaling Club Smart Mobility group. 

Elaphe's technology switches up the traditional car design by mounting the engine on the wheels of an EV. By placing the engine closer to where the power is needed the most, you can increase vehicle efficiency, reduce its weight, save considerable space taken up by traditional engines, and, as a result, have the freedom for more innovative car design solutions. 

A history of innovation

The concept of in-wheel motor systems is not something new – the first vehicles propelled by these kinds of engines go back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although this technology would end up overshadowed by petrol cars, in-wheel engines are making a comeback thanks to companies like Elaphe. 

Elaphe, headquartered in Ljubljana, was founded in 2006 by Andrej Detela and the current CEO Gorazd Lampič. Detela, a quantum physicist, had been working on in-wheel motor solutions for decades, starting his research in the 1980s. In 2003, Detela met Lampič, and the two went on to create Elaphe a few years later, with Lampič becoming the company's CEO. 

Building strategic partnerships

Elaphe’s technology has attracted the attention of automotive giants and investors alike. In recent years, the company has formed strategic partnerships with major automotive companies and startups that are committed to pushing the boundaries of electric mobility. Some of its collaborations include the Dutch EV manufacturer Lightyear, US-based startup Lordstown Motors, the British tech company McLaren Applied, and others. 

Elaphe has also established partnerships with Chinese companies like APG, increasing the scale-up's global reach. As Luka Ambrozic, Chief Commercial Officer at Elaphe, said to CNN: “We want to be a step ahead of the market to make sure we are ready when the opportunities are right.” 

Sustainability as the driving force

One of the key factors motivating Elaphe's work is sustainability and a determination to make impactful changes – in their own words, “delivering more with less.” The company strives to provide “more function, features, range space, and performance with fewer components, natural resources, less energy and pollution.” 

This philosophy is even reflected in the company name. “Elaphe” traces back to Ancient Greek as a name given to a non-venomous snake. Borrowing from the image of a snake wrapped around a rod, which is used as a symbol for healing and medicine, the company was titled Elaphe. The name invokes notions of continuous movement, yearning for something better, and healing properties – the guiding principles of Elaphe's work. 

While Elaphe naturally sees great potential in in-wheel electric propulsion systems, the company also understands that convincing others about the benefits of the technology is one of its challenges. As Luka Ambrozic explained to Trending Topics, “It is important that we work to spread awareness. [...] We see our competitors also as our friends who, just like us, are trying to educate the market. Once we all manage to convince people, there will be a piece of cake for everyone. The important thing is that we are trying to improve the way things are done.” 

As part of the EIC Scaling Club, Elaphe has access to a wealth of opportunities for growth and collaboration with like-minded innovators. This will help the company scale its efforts even faster and more effectively, taking it one step closer to turning its sustainability vision into reality.

About the EIC Scaling Club

The EIC Scaling Club is a curated community where 120+ European deep tech scale-ups with the potential to build world-class businesses and solve major global challenges come together with investors, corporate innovators and other industry stakeholders to spur growth.

The top 120+ European deep tech companies will be carefully selected from a pool of high-growth scale-ups that have benefitted from EIC financial schemes, other European and national innovation programmes, and beyond.

The EIC Scaling Club is an EIC-funded initiative run in partnership by Tech Tour, Bpifrance (EuroQuity), Hello Tomorrow, Tech.eu (Webrazzi), EurA and IESE Business School.

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