Farnham-based
Protean Electric Ltd (Protean), a world leader of in-wheel motor (IWM) technology for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and future transport solutions, has launched its ProteanDrive Generation 5 (Gen 5) IWM. Protean’s new generation of IWM — electric motors integrated directly into a vehicle’s wheels, replacing traditional internal combustion engines and drivetrains — offers an industrialised product with enhanced performance, scalability and affordability, representing a significant advancement in the field.
Engineered, tested and produced by Protean Electric, the ‘Gen 5’ ProteanDrive Pd18 IWM provides world-leading performance and a fully integrated inverter, all housed inside an 18in wheel package, suitable for all automotive and mobility applications. Production commenced in the third quarter of 2023 and since then shipments have been dispatched to OEMs and mobility trailblazers worldwide from Protean’s advanced manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. Underscoring Protean’s position as an industry leader, this production launch and associated IATF 16949 certification, further demonstrates full-scale industrialisation of the most mature and advanced IWM product currently available on a global scale.
This leading, certified IWM from Protean allows vehicle manufacturers to improve their products – offering a superior customer experience through enhanced vehicle space and ergonomics, efficiency, safety and performance – all delivering improved margin and market share for OEMs. As the technology matures and cost reduces, these benefits are proven to drive progressively more vehicle manufacturers towards large-scale adoption of IWMs.
Protean Electric CEO Andrew Whitehead said: “In-wheel motors are a critical component to the future of the EV industry. The availability of an industrialised Pd18 positions Protean Electric at the forefront of the market. This technology will allow vehicle manufacturers to adopt in-wheel-motors at scale and at an affordable price, as they seek to differentiate their product offering in an increasingly crowded EV market.”
Protean’s Gen 5 Pd18 has been designed, fully validated, and manufactured to meet the highest automotive industry standards, and can be configured to a range of wheel sizes, torque and power capabilities. Offering integrated and separate inverters, 400V lead products are available today, with 800V products by the end of 2024. Protean received its IATF 16949 certificate earlier this year, and Pd18 has been granted R85 homologation. Gen5 Pd18 is already in use by lead customers as part of BEDEO’s Reborn Electric retrofit solution alongside ConMet’s Preset Plus Electric Hub zero-emission refrigerated trailer solution.