New in-wheel technology could mean increased fuel efficiency for future hybrids

By Marcus Amick Published April 18, 2013

A new high-tech wheel rolled out by Protean Electric could help increase the fuel efficiency of hybrids by as much as 30 percent.

The advanced system, unveiled at the 2013 SAE World Congress, features in-wheel electric motors that help to power a hybrid and improve the vehicle’s overall drive system.

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The electric motors, which are stored in space behind the wheel, can deliver 1,000 Nm (735 lb.-ft.) of torque and 75 kW (100 hp).

Developed with test vehicles like a BRABUS full electric and hybrid, the wheels are said to improve fuel economy by 30 percent, depending on battery size. The regenerative braking system allows up to 85 percent of the available kinetic energy to be recovered during braking.

Motor-Cutaway — Image used with permission by copyright holder

When equipped on the BRABUS Hybrid, Protean’s pre-production electric in-wheel motors each added 80 kW (110 hp) and 800 Nm (590 ft.-lbs.) of peak torque to power the car’s rear wheels in combination with the internal combustion engine. The technology gave the car a combined electric motor and internal combustion engine acceleration of 0-100 km/hr (0-62 mph) in 7.4 seconds and a combined electric motor and internal combustion engine acceleration of 60-120 km/hr (37-75 mph) of 5.6 seconds.

The fact that the in-wheel motors don’t require gearboxes, driveshafts or differentials, is also said to give carmakers more flexibility when designing an EV, according to Protean. Each in-wheel motor can be controlled independently, which is said to provide for greater control, performance and vehicle dynamics than other drive systems.

“Protean Electric is ready to enable the global automobile industry as it moves to high volume, low cost hybrid and electric drive powertrains,” said Bob Purcell, chairman and CEO of Protean Electric, in the company’s official press release for the technology. “Our system can be applied to current vehicle platforms, retrofit existing vehicles or create all new architectures for the future.”

The Protean Electric wheel, which is being manufactured in China, is expected to go into full production in 2014.

Former Contributor

Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

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Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

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Archer’s flying taxis head to LA for the 2028 Olympics

archer air taxi la28 inglewood aerial a final

Remember the buzz about flying taxis zipping through Paris for the 2024 Olympics? That sci-fi fantasy never got off the ground —Germany’s Volocopter dream was denied certification, leaving fans staring at the same old ground traffic. But now, the skies are opening again for a second shot at glory—this time over Los Angeles.
Archer Aviation, the California-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company, has been named the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry four passengers, will be whisking around VIPs, fans, and stakeholders between venues and key locations like LAX, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and even Orange County. Think 10-20 minute flights that skip the infamous LA gridlock and land you right where the action is—on the roof, basically.
“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America. There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation.
And Midnight isn’t just a pretty rotor. It’s a whisper-quiet, emission-light aircraft with 12 rotors and a redundant, airline-level safety design.
What’s more, Archer and LA28 are working together to electrify vertiport hubs around the city—think futuristic sky stations—to serve not only Games-time needs but also to plant seeds for a post-Olympic air mobility network.
The air mobility market has been fast developing over the past few years, featuring the likes of Hyundai partnership with China’s XPeng HT Aero and Toyota's backing of Joby Aviation, a U.S. venture. Joby bought Uber Elevate in 2020, hoping to someday pair its air taxis with Uber’s ride-hailing app.
Archer, for its part, has been busy building a strategic partnership with United Airlines, which has already placed orders for the aircraft and is helping with logistics to integrate air taxis into airport-to-downtown travel. More than a demo for the cameras, the LA28 partnership will showcase urban air travel for real-world daily use, starting with one of the most high-profile events on Earth.
After raising false hopes in Paris, the air taxi dream is aiming for liftoff in LA—and this time, it might just stick the landing.