Under the award, UQM will work collaboratively with Ames Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop and apply these new magnet materials in a high performance permanent magnet motor.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $3 million to UQM Technologies Inc for development of non-rare-earth magnet electric motors for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. UQM will cost-share 25% of the $4 million effort under the development program. The design of generators for wind turbines may also benefit.
“We are pleased that the DOE has again selected our company to assist in advancing the state-of-the-art in motor and generator technology for electric and hybrid electric vehicles,” said. “This DOE grant will help us apply our extensive experience with the design and engineering of electric motors to the exploration of non-rare-earth magnet motor technology.
“Our objective is to identify and evaluate magnet materials and technology that can deliver the performance buyers expect, broaden our product portfolio, potentially lower magnet cost and limit our exposure to price and supply concerns associated with rare earth magnets,” says UQM Technologies’ President and CEO Eric Ridenour.
“The goal of this new technology that we are developing will be motor designs that apply to a full range of vehicle electrification, from mild hybrid to heavy hybrid to full electric vehicles,” says UQM Technologies’ VP of Engineering Jon Lutz.
UQM Technologies Inc.
www.uqm.com
Filed Under: Generators, News
