UQM Technologies Announces Commercial Availability of Power-Assist Hybrid System for Light and Medium Duty Trucks, Sport Utility Vehicles and Off-Road Vehicles

UQM(R) 42 Volt Integrated Starter Motor Generator System Mounts Directly to the Engine Crankshaft and Delivers 710 Newton-meters of Engine Starting Torque, 10 Kilowatts of Power-Assist in Motoring Mode and Peak Power Generation of 15 Kilowatts at Engine Operating Speeds From 1,200 rpm to 2,800 rpm

FREDERICK, Colo., March 4 -- UQM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (AMEX:UQM) , a developer of alternative energy technologies, announced today the commercial availability of its 42 volt power-assist hybrid system for light and medium duty trucks, sport utility vehicles and off-road vehicles. The starter motor generator system mounts directly to the engine crankshaft and delivers 710 Newton-meters of engine starting torque, 10 Kilowatts of power-assist in motoring mode and peak power generation of 15 Kilowatts at engine operating speeds from 1,200 rpm to 2,800 rpm. The starter motor generator unit, which can also be configured to deliver a variety of speed/torque profiles, measures 4 inches in length and 16 inches in diameter, excluding the flywheel housing, and is designed to be fully integrated into the flywheel of an engine. The system also features a controller area network ("CAN") compatible UQM(R) power electronic digital controller that intelligently manages the system's operation including the dynamic application of the power-assist motoring function and regenerative braking function.

Power-assist systems provide additional power-on-demand to the drivetrain of a hybrid vehicle to enhance the performance of the engine and vehicle while reducing fuel consumption. The power-assist feature provides up to 10 kW of acceleration power to the engine for a short duration during high engine load conditions. Additional features of the system include high-speed engine start capability, regenerative braking and higher levels of onboard electrical power availability to handle increased electrical loads from accessories. Several truck manufacturers have announced their plans to introduce light and medium duty "contractor's special" hybrid trucks that feature higher levels of onboard electrical power availability and other truck makers are expected to follow with similarly configured vehicles.

The UQM(R) power-assist system was developed in response to customer demand for a low cost system capable of delivering meaningful improvements in vehicle performance, fuel consumption and onboard power availability. The system has undergone extensive evaluation and demonstration testing in two hybrid electric vehicles to confirm performance specifications and durability.

"The introduction of this power-assist system for light and medium duty trucks represents a tremendous commercial opportunity for our company", said William G. Rankin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UQM Technologies, Inc. "We believe that vehicle manufacturers will increasingly look to evolutionary rather than revolutionary change in the configuration and features offered on their vehicle platforms as hybrid electric vehicle offerings expand over the next several years. Our power-assist system was designed to meet this market focus through the delivery of meaningful improvements in vehicle performance, including rapid start capability and acceleration boost, as well as increased engine life, improved fuel economy and emissions, and substantial on-board power availability from a compact, durable and cost effective machine that packages inside the engine flywheel and replaces the conventional starter and alternator."

UQM Technologies, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of power dense, high efficiency electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers for the automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, medical, military and industrial markets. A major emphasis of the Company is developing products for the alternative energy technologies sector including power systems for electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, 42-volt under-the- hood power accessories and other vehicle auxiliaries and distributed power generation applications. The Company's headquarters, engineering and product development center and motor manufacturing operation are located in Frederick, Colorado. Its electronic products manufacturing facility is located in St. Charles, Missouri. For more information on the Company, please visit its worldwide website at www.uqm.com .

Starter/Motor/Generator System SMG15 Brushless PM Starter/Motor/Generator Dimensions Length 4.0 in 102 mm Diameter 15.4 in 391 mm Performance Power boost (up to 10 sec) 13.4 hp 10 kW Generating (<1200 rpm) 9.4 hp 7 kW Generating (cont., >1200 rpm) 13.4 hp 10 kW Generating (peak, >1200 rpm) 20.1 hp 15 kW Starting torque (0 to 600 rpm) 524 lb·ft 710 N·m (at 70 degrees F) Nominal speed range 800 to 2800 rpm Maximum Efficiency 90% Engine Compatibility 4 to 8L diesel engines CD04-1300L Inverter/Controller Dimensions Length 14.50 in 368 mm Width 11.75 in 298 mm Height 4.00 in 102 mm Operating Voltage Nominal voltage 42 Vdc (input and output) Operating voltage input range 22 to 45 Vdc Output current limit 225 A (generator mode) Input current limit 1000 A (starting) Inverter Type Switching frequency 20 kHz Standby power consumption 17 W (inverter and DSP) Liquid Cooling System Min. inlet coolant flow 6 gal/min (50/50 water/glycol mix) Max. inlet T of controller 149 degrees F 65 degrees C Max. inlet pressure 10 psig 0.7 bar Drive Electronics Incorporate Serial communication Temperature sensing/alarm CAN bus compatibility Speed sensing Diagnostic capability Fuel activation signal Digital "power-up" MOSFET power switches control signals Operation tailorable for battery management