100 New UPS Electric Vans to Feature UQM Electric Propulsion System

LONGMONT, CO -- UQM Technologies Inc. said Electric Vehicles International (EVI) has ordered 100 additional UQM PowerPhase HD propulsion systems to drive all-electric UPS delivery vans that EVI is building.

This purchase is in addition to systems previously delivered and integrated into EVI medium-duty trucks and walk-in vans.

“We’re very pleased that UPS has selected the all-electric EVI delivery van for the expansion of its all-electric delivery van fleet program,” said Eric Ridenour, UQM Technologies president and CEO. “The expansion of our business with EVI into UPS vehicles represents a significant deployment of our higher power propulsion systems in the medium-duty commercial truck market and will drive revenue growth in this important segment.”

According to UPS, it will deploy these 100 all-electric vehicles in California early in 2012, replacing older generation diesel trucks in the largest single deployment of zero tailpipe emission delivery vehicles in the state. UPS estimates that the use of these vehicles will displace 126,000 gallons of fuel a year that would have been burned running diesel trucks.

“We are building PowerPhase HD Select 200 systems for these vehicles now and will deliver our first shipment to EVI this quarter,” Ridenour said.

The UQM PowerPhase HD Select 200 system includes a 200 kW (268 horsepower)/900 N-m (664 ft-lbs) electric motor/generator and controller. The PowerPhase HD series is designed specifically for use in commercial vehicles. UQM electric propulsion systems are used in a variety of vehicles.

UQM has invested more than $100 million in technology development and infrastructure to capitalize on the expected growth of the hybrid and electric vehicle market. 

“We look forward to significant growth in our revenue during calendar year 2012, and we are working to expand the number of companies using our PowerPhase propulsion systems in their all-electric and hybrid vehicle platforms,” Ridenour said. 

UQM Technologies is also now in volume production of its PowerPhase Pro electric motors and controllers for CODA Automotive’s all-electric passenger sedan.