Advanced Electric Vehicle Research

The growing need for practical electric vehicles is driven by the demand for reduced emissions, energy efficiency, and increased freedom from fossil fuels. The primary factors limiting EVs today include limited range, limited performance, recharge time, and EMI issues. The vehicle built by UQM with Phase II funding will eliminate many of these problems. UQM Technologies Inc. (UQM) has long been a leader in the development and production of electric propulsion motors and their power electronic controls. As a leader in PM brushless technology, UQM has led and participated in many electric vehicle production efforts incorporating UQM electric drive systems. Given Phase II funding, UQM will demonstrate the benefits of merging UQM PM motors with the latest battery technology in an electric vehicle that achieves a driving range in excess of existing electric vehicles of similar size. The resulting vehicle performance and range will also compete closely with comparable gasoline vehicles in many applications. The proposed vehicle, built on the ½ ton pick-up chassis, will take advantage of an optimized regenerative braking system, propelling the range on urban driving cycles to a new level for EVs in this classification.