Pilot Production of Technologies M4's E-Wheel Control System Begins in Canada
16 October 2000
Pilot Production of Technologies M4's E-Wheel Control System Begins in CanadaMONTREAL, Oct. 16 Prototype production of a revolutionary new electric drive system that can be housed in vehicle wheel assemblies will begin this week at Technologies M4's (TM4) recently opened pilot production plant in Longueuil, Quebec. Speaking at the 17th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS-17) in Montreal today, TM4 President David Johnston said production from the 6,500- square-foot Longueuil plant will meet a growing demand from major auto companies for working prototypes of the company's E-Wheel Control System. Johnston added that TM4 has invested more than $5,000,000 (CDN) in equipment and development costs for the production of prototype models of its E-Wheel Control System in the last year. Unveiled with Michelin at the 1999 Frankfurt Auto Show and the North American Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Conference (NAEVI) in Atlanta, the E-Wheel Control System locates high-efficiency motors inside a car or light truck's wheel assemblies to power the vehicle and electronically manage handling and control features. The design eliminates the need for traditional drive train components. "A number of automotive manufacturers, as well as several Tier One auto suppliers have expressed interest in the system," Johnston said. "Several car makers have driven the proof-of-concept 4WD Chrysler Intrepid and were among the first to inquire about receiving prototypes for testing and evaluation." Designed for use in two- or four-wheel drive battery, hybrid or fuel-cell- powered vehicles the TM4 system is ideally suited for drive-by-wire vehicles of the future, he noted. By eliminating the need for transmissions, differentials, driveshafts and other driveline components, the system also reduces overall vehicle weight, lowers cost and frees up space for passengers, additional interior features and "crumple" zones. It also provides space to meet an ever increasing demand for onboard electrical systems and components. "The E-Wheel Control System has been recognized as a break-through concept that will have a major impact on future electric and hybrid vehicle designs," Johnston said. "The system represents a quantum leap in traction control and its drive motor fits easily into standard wheel designs as well as Michelin's PAX System." The TM4 executive noted that Michelin and TM4 have been working together for over a year to integrate advanced wheel and electric-drive technologies for a variety of hybrid and electric vehicle power systems. Founded in 1998 by Hydro-Quebec to commercialize electric power technology which has been developed since 1991. Technologies M4 Inc. is a "value-added" company offering custom adaptations of its core product base in the specialty market. Its mission is to develop, design and supply electric power generation, conversion and control systems to the transportation, energy, telecommunications and automation industries for improved energy efficiency and safety and environmental benefits based on highly integrated power and control technologies. TM4 is located on the Internet at http://www.tech-m4.com