Raicam’s eClutch system breaks the mechanical link between the clutch pedal and the clutch itself, in manual transmission vehicles.

The clutch pedal is connected to an electronic control unit, which in turn commands a lightweight and efficient electrical actuator which controls the clutch. The control unit communicates with other systems in the vehicle to deliver an integrated driver experience, delivering driver comfort features combined with reduced fuel economy and emissions.

eClutch can deliver multiple benefits to the driver, passengers and the vehicle. These benefits can affect driver comfort and fuel economy, and also vehicle safety and durability. The system is also designed with the vehicle manufacturer in mind, and may be fitted to most manual transmission vehicles with minimum impact to design or engineering.

CO2 reductions are an important topic during the period up to 2021 and beyond. International legislation changes mean that vehicle technologies must keep pace with political and customer’s expectations. eClutch technology can help to deliver these CO2 improvements through cost effective technologies which may be fitted to high volume vehicles (manual transmission cars of all sizes). This has the maximum impact on the CO2 emissions of the world’s vehicle fleet, with maximum benefit for everybody.

The world’s motor industry has made good progress towards CO2 reduction, but that progress needs to continue into the future. eClutch can contribute a minimum of 2% CO2 saving (WLTC test cycle) for a manual transmission car, by allowing the driver to benefit from strategies such as coasting.

As well as saving fuel, vehicle buyers and drivers demand more comfort and additional features in their new passenger cars. eClutch can offer driver aids, such as assistance with starting the vehicle on a hill, or the ability to drive the car in city traffic without using the clutch pedal.

From a vehicle manufacturer’s perspective, reduction of CO2 emissions in an important business issue. One way in which eClutch could potentially help is in allowing the manufacturer to demonstrate that their vehicles contain beneficial innovative technology (for instance via the EC Eco-Innovation Credit scheme). The system is especially beneficial as it may be applied to manual transmission vehicles – still the largest volume and most efficient transmission type on the world’s roads today.