UQM Technologies Inc., a company focused on developing and manufacturing propulsion systems for electric vehicles, has completed an electromagnetic design that uses non-rare-earth magnets – a major cost-saving advancement – in an electric motor for vehicles.
‘This is great progress toward our objective of identifying magnet materials and technology that can deliver the performance our customers expect while limiting our exposure to price and supply concerns associated with rare-earth magnets,’ explains Eric R. Ridenour, president and CEO of UQM.
UQM is working with Ames Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a part of a $4 million U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research and Development Grant. UQM is cost-sharing 25% of the project.
The next phase of the project centers on the mechanical design of the motor, and UQM plans on producing a concept unit sometime next year.
