The company began developing its PMSM technology three years ago, and in 2016 signed a joint technology development memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul Transportation Corporation. The motors were installed on a Line 6 train in May. In 2018, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems and Solutions (Toshiba-ISS) supplied five eight-car trains equipped with PMSM for Busan metro Line 1. Hyundai Rotem says its system is the first of its kind to be developed in South Korea, and is 10% more efficient than the Japanese-developed system. Compared with conventional induction motors, PMSM reduce noise by 10dB at low speeds and 3dB at high speeds, while energy consumption is reduced by 31%. Hyundai Rotem says the new system could result in Won 35.8bn ($US 30.1m) savings in energy costs and Won 3.8bn savings in maintenance costs over 30 years. The company says it plans to aggressively target the domestic and overseas electric rail vehicle market with its PMSM propulsion system.
