Protean Electric, a leading company in in-wheel motor (IWM) technology, has announced the production launch of its latest ProteanDrive Generation 5 (‘Gen 5’) IWM, a product designed for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and future transport solutions. The new ‘Gen 5’ ProteanDrive Pd18 IWM, developed and manufactured by Protean Electric in the UK, is noted for its enhanced performance, scalability, and affordability. The IWM, integrated with a fully operational inverter within an 18-inch wheel package, caters to a wide range of automotive and mobility applications. Since the production started in Q3 2023, shipments have been dispatched to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and mobility innovators globally from Protean’s advanced manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. The product launch, coupled with Protean’s IATF 16949 certification, underscores the company’s leadership in the industry by showcasing the full-scale industrialization of the most mature and advanced IWM product available globally. Protean’s certified IWM technology allows vehicle manufacturers to enhance their products by offering improved vehicle space, ergonomics, efficiency, safety, and performance, which ultimately leads to better margins and market share for OEMs. As the technology becomes more affordable, it is expected to drive more manufacturers toward large-scale adoption of IWMs. Andrew Whitehead, CEO of Protean Electric, emphasized the critical role of IWMs in the future of the electric vehicle industry and highlighted how the industrialized Pd18 positions Protean Electric at the forefront of the market. The Gen 5 Pd18 is designed to meet the highest automotive industry standards, configurable for various wheel sizes, torque, and power capabilities. With both integrated and separate inverters, the 400V lead products are available now, and 800V products are expected by the end of 2024. The Gen 5 Pd18, which has received IATF 16949 certification and R85 homologation, is already being utilized by leading customers in solutions like BEDEO’s Reborn Electric retrofit and ConMet’s Preset Plus® Electric Hub for zero-emission refrigerated trailers.
