Protean Electric Launches Revolutionary ProteanDrive Generation 5 In-Wheel Motor
Farnham, UK – [16 July 2024] – Protean Electric, a global pioneer in in-wheel motor (IWM) technology for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and future mobility solutions, proudly announces the production launch of its ProteanDrive Generation 5 (Gen 5) IWM. This new iteration signifies a major leap forward in performance, scalability, and affordability within the industry.
Designed, tested, and manufactured by the UK-based Protean Electric, the Gen 5 ProteanDrive Pd18 IWM sets a new benchmark in performance. Encased within an 18-inch wheel, it features a fully integrated inverter, making it adaptable for a broad spectrum of automotive and mobility applications. Since production began in Q3 2023, shipments have been steadily dispatched from Protean’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China to OEMs and mobility innovators around the globe. This launch, coupled with the prestigious IATF 16949 certification, underscores Protean’s leadership and commitment to delivering the most advanced and industrialized IWM product on the market today.
Protean’s certified IWM enables vehicle manufacturers to enhance their offerings significantly, providing superior customer experiences through improved vehicle space utilization, ergonomics, efficiency, safety, and performance. These enhancements not only elevate customer satisfaction but also bolster OEMs’ margins and market share. As the technology evolves and becomes more cost-effective, it is poised to drive widespread adoption of IWMs across the automotive sector.
Andrew Whitehead, CEO of Protean Electric, emphasized, “In-wheel motors are pivotal to the future of the electric vehicle industry. The industrialized Pd18 places Protean Electric at the cutting edge of the market. This technology empowers vehicle manufacturers to adopt in-wheel motors on a large scale and at a competitive price, helping them to stand out in an increasingly crowded electric vehicle market.”
The Gen 5 Pd18 has been meticulously designed, rigorously validated, and manufactured to meet the highest automotive industry standards. It offers flexibility in wheel sizes, torque, and power capabilities, with options for integrated and separate inverters. Currently, 400V lead products are available, with 800V variants expected by the end of 2024. Protean’s receipt of the IATF 16949 certificate earlier this year, along with the R85 homologation for the Pd18, further attests to its quality and reliability. Leading customers are already leveraging the Gen 5 Pd18 in innovative applications such as BEDEO’s Reborn Electric retrofit solution and ConMet’s Preset Plus® Electric Hub zero-emission refrigerated trailer solution.
