Production launch of Protean Electric’s in-wheel motor ‘Gen 5’ technology

In-wheel motor (IWM) technology developer for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and future transport solutions Protean Electric has launched production of its ProteanDrive Generation 5 (‘Gen 5’) IWM.

Protean says its new generation IWM offers an industrialised product with enhanced performance, scalability and affordability.

Engineered, tested and produced by United Kingdom-headquartered Protean Electric, the ‘Gen 5’ ProteanDrive Pd18 IWM provides world-leading performance and a fully integrated inverter, all housed inside an 18-inch wheel package, suitable for all automotive and mobility applications, says the company.

 Production started in Q3 2023 and since then shipments have been sent to OEMs and mobility trailblazers worldwide from Protean’s manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. This production launch and associated IATF 16949 certification further demonstrates full-scale industrialisation of the IWM product available globally, says Protean.

It 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, Protean says.

As the technology matures and cost reduces, these benefits are proven to drive progressively more vehicle manufacturers towards large-scale adoption of IWMs, it adds.

“In-wheel motors are a critical component to the future of the electric vehicle industry,” says Protean Electric chief executive Andrew Whitehead.

“The availability of an industrialised Pd18 positions Protean Electric at the forefront of the market,” he says.

“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 electric vehicle market.” 

Protean’s Gen 5 Pd18 can be configured to a range of wheel sizes, torque and power capabilities.

Offering integrated and separate inverters, 400V lead products are available, with 800V products by the end of 2024, says Protean.

It says its Gen5 Pd18 is already used by lead customers as part of BEDEO’s Reborn Electric retrofit solution alongside ConMet’s Preset Plus Electric Hub zero-emission refrigerated trailer solution. 

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