FAW-VW Bora EV. (Credit: FAW-Volkswagen)
Protean Electric, a U.S.-headquartered technology company, announced its partnership with the FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company (FAW-VW) to develop a new electric propulsion system that will include Protean Electric’s Protean Drive with intent towards a demonstration vehicle program and production.
FAW-VW will create a new rear-wheel drivetrain for a pure Electric Vehicle (EV) based on the new Bora compact sedan, utilizing two Protean in-wheel motors. This cooperation began several months ago and so all bench testing, engineering calibration and on site application support is expected to be completed within a year. Protean Electric will also assist FAW-VW in the development of safety and vehicle controls that can be applied to additional vehicle programs.
“Protean Electric is very pleased and honored to be working with FAW-VW. Our involvement with this prestigious automaker shows that Protean Electric is continuing to serve as a valuable resource for OEMs as they develop New Energy Vehicle programs,” says Kwok-yin Chan, CEO of Protean Holdings Corp. “This is a two-phase project that will capitalize on the torque and packaging freedoms that Protean Drive can bring to an automaker. Our technology will return the space to the new Bora vehicle platform that was formerly occupied by an in-board motor and powertrain.”
The motors reside in the space behind the wheel, producing torque and power exactly where and when drivers need it. According to the press-release, Protean’s new production motor provides the highest torque and power density of any leading electric propulsion system. Each in-wheel motor comes with its own power and control electronics packaged inside the motor, which communicates with the vehicle by utilizing a common vehicle control system.
Features of Protean’s in-wheel motors include:
- 75 kW (100 hp) peak power
- Highest torque density of any of today’s leading electric drive systems
- Mass of only 34 kg (75 lbs.) per motor
- Power and control electronics packaged inside the motor
- Superior regenerative braking capabilities, which allow up to 85 percent of the available kinetic energy to be recovered during braking
- Fits within a conventional 18” road wheel
