Unique Mobility, Inc. Motor Technology At Heart of First-Ever Hybrid-Electric `Hummer'
2 December 1997
Unique Mobility, Inc. Motor Technology At Heart of First-Ever Hybrid-Electric `Hummer'
GOLDEN, Colo., Dec. 2 -- Unique Mobility, Inc.'s (Amex: UQM)
powerful but compact electric motor and control technology is at the heart of
a "hybrid-electric" HMMWV combat vehicle to be unveiled today in Huntsville,
Alabama.
The ultra-rugged combat vehicle, the first of its kind, boasts twice the
acceleration and climbing capability of a conventionally powered "Hummer." It
can zip from zero to 50 in 8 seconds and climb a 60% grade at 17 miles an
hour. A conventional HMMWV takes 14 seconds to accelerate from zero to 50 and
can climb a 60% grade at 7 miles an hour. The hybrid's performance is all the
more remarkable since, with a payload of 1,700 lbs., its gross vehicle weight
(9,100 lbs.) is the same as a conventional HMMWV.
"This hybrid-electric Hummer is a dramatic example of the brute power and
energy efficiency of electric propulsion," said Ray Geddes, chairman and CEO
of Golden, Colorado, based Unique Mobility. "Our motors have the muscle to
move four tons of heavy hardware over the road or off the road quicker than
ever before."
The vehicle, designed and built by PEI Electronics, Inc. of Huntsville,
Alabama, uses four Unique Mobility permanent magnet motors which can peak at
75 kW (100 horsepower) to provide power to each wheel and a fifth (55 kW) (73
horsepower) permanent magnet motor as a generator on the diesel powerplant.
The four electric motors provide truly independent four-wheel drive,
allowing the Hummer, like a tank, to actually turn around in place by having
one or more wheels turn in different directions.
As is typical of electric vehicles, the hybrid-electric Hummer can be
stealthily quiet. In addition, at low speeds (10 mph or less) in all-electric
operating mode the vehicle's electric motors give off a low "thermal
signature" making it virtually impossible to detect using infrared sensor
technology. The hybrid Hummer will increase the performance and flexibility
of military forces while reducing the impact on the environment.
Hybrid-electric vehicles, powered by a combination of electric motors and
conventional diesel or gasoline powered engines, have more range than
electric-only vehicles and don't require expensive charging infrastructure
since on-board sealed lead acid batteries are charged by the diesel generator.
The range of the hybrid Hummer is 300 miles, the same as a conventional HMMWV.
In the field, the onboard generator can provide emergency power -- to a mobile
hospital or disaster communications center, for example.
The hybrid-electric HMMWV was developed through a 50/50 industry-
government alliance funded in part by DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency) through the Atlanta-based Southern Coalition for Advanced
Transportation (SCAT). PEI Electronics, Inc. is the team leader for the SCAT
HMMWV project.
The roll-out of this first-ever hybrid Hummer will take place at 11:00
a.m. today at PEI's main facility, at 110 Wynn Drive in Huntsville, Alabama.
Scheduled to attend the unveiling are national, state and local elected
officials, military leaders and industry executives from across the country.
For more information on the unveiling ceremony, contact Dan Tudor at
(205) 895-2051.
Unique Mobility, Inc. is one of the world's leading developers of energy
efficient electric and hybrid electric vehicle systems. It is a Golden,
Colorado, based engineering concern and manufacturer of high efficiency
permanent magnet motors and controls for automotive, aerospace and industrial
applications. For more information on the Company, please visit our world
wide web site at http://www.uqm.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those discussed in this release. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file no. 23843). These forward-
looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this
release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Unique Mobility, Inc.
