Reinventing the wheel

News

US electric car maker ZAP has signed an exclusive agreement for an advanced wheel motor technology from PML FlightLink of Hampshire, UK.

ZAP secured the PML wheel motor technology to play a key role in the development of next generation electric vehicles being developed with Lotus Engineering.

Electric vehicle concepts like the ZAP-X crossover SUV have targeted unprecedented performance goals, including a top speed of 155 mph, 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds, and a peak 644 horsepower. Steve Schneider, CEO for ZAP, says PML's wheel motor achieves the power to weight ratio to meet the performance goals of the ZAP-X.

Schneider pointed out why wheel motors allow automotive designers to achieve greater efficiencies in the overall design, distributing the weight and displacement of the drive train to the four corners of the vehicle. PML's wheel motors don't require intricate braking systems, instead relying on advances in regenerative braking that enhance efficiency and performance.

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