We first covered Protean and its in-wheel motor tech back in 2012, and then interviewed a company exec in 2013 at EVS27 in Barcelona. Apparently, the Danish company is still alive. A 16″ version of the ProteanDRIVE In-Wheel Motor will be developed by Protean Electric in partnership with Zhejiang VIE Science & Technology Company (VIE), according to recent news from the partners.
The 16″ version of the ProteanDRIVE In-Wheel Motor will reportedly be based on the Protean PD18 offering.
The new product will be aimed at the A through D auto segments — in particular, of course, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric (EV) vehicle offerings within that segment.
The new product will be manufactured and distributed by a joint venture based out of China, and then supplied directly to Protean for wider international redistribution.
The specs for new the 16″ version of the ProteanDRIVE In-Wheel Motor, as quoted by Green Car Congress, are:
⊗ Integrated Motor and Inverter to fit inside a regular 16″ wheel
⊗ Peak Torque/Power 800 N·m/40 kW
⊗ Continuous Torque/Power 450 N·m/26 kW
⊗ Conventional wheel bearing and friction brake integration
⊗ Added wheel mass 27 kg
That coverage also included some useful background: “VIE is a leading automotive parts supplier in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of automotive chassis control system for both passenger and commercial vehicle. VIE products include the front and rear suspension system, vehicle electronics control system, pneumatic and hydraulic brake systems, clutch operating system and engineering plastic parts. VIE has recently broadened into wireless charging, ADAS and electric motor brakes.”
For one more story on Protean, see this one from 2013: Protean To Begin In-Wheel Electric Motor Production In 2014.
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