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Current vehicle architectures utilize belt driven components such as the coolant pump, air-conditioner, power steering pump, etc. However, the trend toward more electric vehicles requires electromechanical energy conversion devices to replace these inefficient mechanical components. It is essential that electrical machines used in automotive applications to be compatible with the corresponding mechanical and electrical terminals. Furthermore, replacement of belt driven components with electrical drives should be performed as efficient and cost effective as possible. Bipolar switched reluctance machines (SRM) are both cost effective and very robust to the effects of temperature variation. They also offer a very wide speed range and an excellent mechanical integrity, which optimally suits a range of automotive applications including electric propulsion. This paper presents a detailed investigation of the performance indices for bipolar SRM drives. Using a Maxwell stress method, variations of radial and tangential force components due to saliency of the machine and saturation have been studied. Access to distribution of the force components acting on the rotor and stator enables us to provide a more accurate picture of the torque generation and vibration in this family of electric machines. Furthermore, distribution of magnetic forces under multiphase excitation has been studied in detail. Our findings show that bipolar excitation of SRM phases, resulting in a short flux path magnetic circuit, favors its efficiency and power quality while generating higher torque with less pulsation. This is a significant improvement, particularly for automotive applications where the difference in the required number of power electronics components can be justified. An experimental, 2-kW, 42-V, 8/6 SRM drive which has been designed and manufactured in our energy system laboratory was targeted for this study. In addition to our extensive finite-element (FE) analysis, experimental results have been provided to prove theoretical claims. Index Terms--Bipolar, normal force, switched reluctance machines (SRM), tangential force.