Protean Electric Announces Partnership To Develop In-Wheel Motor Propulsion System With FAW-Volkswagen

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Dec 12, 2013, 12:01 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Protean Electric, the global leader of advanced in-wheel electric drive, today announces its partnership with FAW-VOLKSWAGEN AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD. (FAW-VW) to develop an all new electric propulsion system that will include Protean Electric's award-winning Protean Drive™ with intent towards a demonstration vehicle program and production.

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Protean Electric is an award-winning technology company that has developed an in-wheel electric drive system for hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric light-duty vehicles. The Protean Drive(TM) system can improve vehicle fuel economy, add torque, increase power and enable improved vehicle handling to both new and existing vehicles. (PRNewsFoto/Protean Electric) (PRNewsFoto/PROTEAN ELECTRIC)

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FAW-VW will create an all-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. 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

In addition, Protean has developed multiple vehicles with various global OEMs for demonstration in the US, Europe and China.

Protean has been awarded 33 patents for its unique technology and design, with 101 additional international patent applications pending. Protean has won the prestigious 2012 Technology Pioneers Award from the World Economic Forum and received recognition from Car and Driver magazine as one of the ten most promising technologies for 2013.

About Protean:
Protean Electric is a leading clean technology company that designs, develops and manufactures Protean Drive™, a fully integrated, in-wheel motor, direct-drive solution. Protean Electric is strategically positioned to play a major role in the hybrid and electric vehicle market by offering a combination of packaging advantages, new vehicle design opportunities, performance benefits and cost savings. Protean is funded by Oak Investment Partners, GSR Ventures and Jiangsu New Times Holding Group Co., Ltd. Protean Electric has operations in the United States, United Kingdom, China and Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.proteanelectric.com.

About FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co. LTD:
The FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company (FAW-VW) was founded in 1991 and is a Chinese joint venture between FAW Group Corporation, a Chinese state-owned automotive manufacturing company and Volkswagen Group. The headquarters of FAW-VW is located in the south-western section of Changchun, Jilin Province. On August 15, 2011, FAW-VW celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a milestone of producing its one millionth car.

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Contact:
Louise Hackett
Media relations on behalf of Protean Electric
248.494.1006
[email protected]

SOURCE Protean Electric