UQMs New 150 kW Propulsion System Selected for Advanced Hybrid Bus Development Project

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UQM’s New 150 kW Propulsion System Selected for Advanced Hybrid Bus Development Project

18 December 2007

UQM Technologies’ newly introduced 150 kW (201 hp) permanent magnet propulsion motor—the PowerPhase 150—has been selected as part of a collaborative advanced hybrid electric bus development program being performed by the Flint, Michigan, Mass Transportation Authority (MTA), Kettering University, Michigan State University and Transportation Techniques LLC.

This new propulsion system is an upgrade of a 100 kW system that has been available for the last ten years, and achieves a 1 hp/lb power density. The additional 50% output is being made available without any additional size or weight to the system.

The PowerPhase 150 is capable of 150 kW peak output, 100 kW continuous output, 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) peak torque, and 5,000 rpm top speed. UQM selected the torque and speed range of this motor to allow for straightforward electric vehicle integration (connect directly to the differential) and also for heavy duty parallel hybrid vehicles, according to a paper presented at EVS-23 by UQM.

The primary technologies enabling the higher output are:

UQM proprietary motor/generator commutation methods that create higher power across the speed range.
UQM proprietary armature winding techniques that reduce the AC resistance for fewer losses.
Better power electronics (IGBTs and capacitors) to support higher voltage and current limits.
Higher temperature NdFeB permanent magnets.

Other features have been introduced with the system, including control mode versatility (torque/speed/voltage control on-the-fly), improved safety features and failure modes, and a new graphical user interface (GUI).

UQM considers the PowerPhase 150 system suitable for electric vehicles up to 3,000 kg as the sole propulsion motor, or much heavier vehicles in multiple drive or hybrid electric configurations.

The company considers the PowerPhase 150 still to be a prototype system, although it is now available for sale to all customers. Next steps are to invest in production equipment and tooling, enabling higher volume and lower pricing.

MTA currently operates five hybrid electric cutaway buses on routes in Flint, Michigan, and throughout Genesee County with fuel efficiency improvements of 15% to 25% over similar diesel powered buses. The UQM systems were purchased as part of the partnership’s advanced hybrid electric technology program which has the objective of incorporating an advanced set of control systems and more efficient components into the hybrid electric bus to provide additional fuel efficiency improvements of 15% to 20%, or an overall improvement of up to 40% over standard diesel-powered vehicles.

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