News

Unique Mobility's Motor/Generator Featured in GM Precept

January 11, 2000 by Jeff Shepard

Unique Mobility Inc. (Golden, CO) recently announced that its hybrid electric motor/generator is featured in the General Motors Precept Technology Demonstration Vehicle introduced at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.According to the company, the GM Precept is a fully functional hybrid electric five-passenger family sedan designed to achieve 80mpg. The company claims the proof-of-concept vehicle evolved out of GM's participation in the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV). According to Unique, the company's electric motor is part of the rear drive system of the car, operating as an input to the transmission along with the engine. The company claims the 15kW, 20hp high torque (150Nm/110lb. ft.) motor performs engine starting, engine power assist/boost, regenerative braking to capture vehicle braking energy, battery charging using engine power and part-time driving of the vehicle accessories."We are very proud to be part of the GM team and to be a key contributor to the successful development of the GM Precept," said William G. Rankin, president and CEO of Unique Mobility. "This advanced vehicle clearly demonstrated the fuel efficiency and environmental advantages of hybrid electric propulsion. Unique's compact and efficient motor/generator was designed and produced to meet GM's exacting specifications and is integral to the Precept propulsion system, enabling GM to achieve its objective of 80mpg fuel efficiency."Jon Lutz, Unique Mobility's manager of motor engineering, stated, "We have once again shown that we can deliver compact and efficient electric motors for advanced vehicle opportunities. This motor performs exactly as intended and combines high performance with a low inherent cost, using less than one pound of permanent magnet material. The prevailing trend of decreasing magnet prices facilitates low-cost manufacturing of this technology."