UQM Delivers Cargo Van to U.S. Air Force

On April 12, UQM Technologies of Frederick, Colorado, announced delivery of a hybrid electric cargo van to the U.S. Air Force powered by a reduced electromagnetic emission (EMI) propulsion system and generator developed under a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Grant. A hybrid electric shuttle bus, also modified to incorporate reduced EMI UQM® systems, is scheduled for completion under the contract this month. Both vehicles are part of a fleet of 11 Ford 350 chassis-based hybrid electric cargo vans and shuttle buses operated at Robins Air Force Base under the management of the Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO) of the 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing.

EMI is a general term that describes electromagnetic phenomena arising from the movement of electric current and voltage, including to or from electric motor/generators and power electronic inverters. In electrically propelled vehicles, this can cause interference with other electronic equipment onboard the vehicle or in its immediate vicinity. EMI also can cause excessive static on AM radios. Military vehicles that generate an electromagnetic signature present additional challenges. Electromagnetic emissions can be used by enemy forces to detect and target the vehicle. Similarly, electronics onboard military HEVs are susceptible to damage from a new breed of electromagnetic pulse weapons it may be carrying.

The cargo van contains a low EMI emission UQM® propulsion system and generator that reduces emissions from the baseline system by over 40dB across most of the testing spectrum. In addition to reducing EMI emissions through conventional enclosures and concentric cables, reductions were achieved through a proprietary commutation technique in the UQM® motor controller that reduces the harmonic content of the system.

The development of these advanced vehicles was funded under the SBIR program administered by APTO, which is responsible for the identification, assessment, transition and integration of advanced power technologies into warfighting support equipment, vehicles and other applications that support global deployment.

“This vehicle will be the first EMI-reduced hybrid in our fleet and is an important milestone in the achievement of APTO objectives,” said Carl P. Perazzola, lead engineer at the APTO Office.