- UK-based electric powertrain firm, Protean Electric, has announced that its ProteanDrive Generation 5 in-wheel motor (IWM) has passed validation of legal and quality standards, which means that the new IWM is suitable for mainstream automotive application.
- Its latest generation, in 18-inch wheel format, also boasts the highest torque figure seen in the IWM industry – 1,500 Nm, to be precise.
- IWM manufacturers are hoping for the integrated motor setup to be the future of EVs, in comparison to the conventional drivetrain setup used on all current production electric cars.
Protean’s Gen 5 IWM passes tests with flying colours
An IWM setup is superior to the current setup used on the vast majority of EVs, where electric motors connect to a conventional transmission, for several reasons. Firstly, it removes the efficiency losses which occur within a normal drivetrain, which should both increase range, and make EVs more energy efficient. It also gives car designers more free reign, with no need to make room for driveline components on the underside of the EV. Finally, the ability to individually control electric motor power at each wheel allows for increased handling and stability, which could also have a beneficial impact on future road safety.
For the Pd18 Gen5 model tested, Protean tested over 80 individual examples, which were run through 64 different testing scenarios, including harsh conditions such as water wading, or pothole impacts. From the results of this, Protean says that its latest IWM meets durability standards of 15 years and 300,000km.
The next few years will tell whether IWMs become more commonplace within road-going EVs. Last year, a prototype Saab-inspired EV put one of Protean’s previous IWMs into action, while the Dongfeng Fengshen E70 became the first passenger EV with IWMs, last year.
Stephen Lambert, CTO at Protean Electric, commented on the tests:
In-wheel motors are proving to be a pivotal, enabling technology for the next generation of EVs. However, much like the first EVs, there needs to be a testing and validation rulebook set out. As an industry, much has been discussed about the design and validation challenges of in-wheel motors, particularly the demands of reliability and durability due to the harshest installation environments. Looking to the future, our team has invested heavily in our test and validation procedures to ensure that the Gen 5 IWM, exposed to severe shock, vibration, thermal cycle, sand, dust, water, and chemical contamination, is designed to last and do the distance, securing a net-zero future across multiple vehicles and transport solutions.”
