Detroit Electric plans to begin sales in 2010; its plans call for selling more than 270,000 EVs in Europe, UK, China and the United States by 2012. The vehicles will be priced between US$23,000 and US$26,000 for a city range option and between US$28,000 and US$33,000 for an extended range option. Styling changes will distinguish Detroit Electric’s vehicles from Proton’s existing line-up.

Proton, established in 1983, is Malaysia’s largest manufacturer of automobiles, currently producing 270,000 vehicles of various models annually in Malaysia.

The Detroit Electric drive system incorporates a 75 kW (150 kW peak) axial magnetic flux motor and a 25 kWh lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery pack to support a single-charge range of 180 km (112 miles) for the city range option. A 40 kWh pack supports a single-charge range of 325 km (202 miles) for the extended range option.

Detroit Electric currently has specified two models, the DE e63 and the slightly smaller, “race-inspired” DE e46. The DE e63 will offer a choice of the city-range or extended range battery packs; the e46 is currently spec’d to offer only the city-range pack.

The 25 kWh LiPo battery pack has a recharge time of 8 hours at 13 Amps, <3.2 hours at 32 Amps, and fast charging to 90% DOC in 20 minutes. The 40 kWh pack recharges in 12.5 hours at 13 Amps, < 5 hours at 32 Amps, and fast charges to 90% DOC in 30 minutes. Cycle life is greater than 2,000.

The axial magnetic flux motor develops torque of 350-380 Nm (258-280 lb-ft). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is less than 8 seconds, and top speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).

Detroit Electric will be responsible for the homologation of the vehicles and for vehicle certification in the US and European markets. Detroit Electric will assume all warranty and liabilities for the Electric Vehicles, while Proton will warranty the vehicle’s build and standard components.

The agreement also initiates the test and validation program in which Proton will evaluate Detroit Electric’s electric drive system with the intent to license the rights to distribute, market and sell vehicles under the Proton brand in Asia.

Detroit Electric is in the final stage of setting up two subsidiaries: Detroit Electric Energy, which will produce the battery technology, and Detroit Electric Advanced Propulsion Lab, which will manufacture the motor and controller.

The Detroit Electric Advanced Propulsion Lab and Manufacturing Plant is targeted to be in Malaysia close to the vehicle assembly facilities of Proton. By 2012, the two production plants plan to produce more than 400,000 electric drive systems to meet Detroit Electric’s internal demands as well as third-party OEM’s needs.

Detroit Electric is looking to repeat similar contract production partnerships with manufacturers in Europe and the United States. This will allow the company to extend its range of models very quickly to meet demand in the different automotive segments in these markets.