Zap working with a Chinese company on in-wheel electric motors
Recently, I wrote a post that talked about Volvo's statement that they were working exclusively with PML (a company that makes in-wheel electric motors). I found this concerning because I thought PML was working with Zap on the Zap-X, a Lotus-designed, affordable, normal-looking electric car. I contacted Zap Communication's Alex Campbell, who checked with Zap's CEO Steve Schneider about Volvo's statements. Zap says they are in a relationship with PML but only on three-wheeled vehicles. As for four-wheeled cars, Zap tried but it looks like PML went with Volvo. Zap has moved on to a Chinese company that they say is not only cheaper than PML but can provide in-wheel electric motors sooner. So there is no confusion, here is exactly what Zap says:
We signed an exclusive agreement with PML on 3-wheelers and at the time were negotiating with them on other vehicles. We have since partnered up with a company in China with rights to their wheel hub motors. The significance is that the wheel hub motor that we have acquired is currently working in application and we believe will be commercially available within a shorter period of time than PML's. It is my understanding that the PML motor has still yet to work in any automotive application. And they are expensive so it would need to be manufactured in China to stay competitive.
[Source: Alex Campbell from Zap]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Throwback 3:17PM (1/23/2008)
An electric car that looks like this would sell if it has a decent(150 mile minimum) range. My guess is PML saw more profits and stability by going with Volvo and hence Ford, rather than Zap.
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kert 4:07PM (1/23/2008)
Let me guess. The chinese in-wheel motors are branded ePML, FML, PNL or something along these lines ? And the technology in them is _entirely different_ from what PML built ?
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dwf 4:11PM (1/23/2008)
I can understand an auto company saying that they will deal exclusively with an in-wheel motor company to get them to produce their motor for a guaranteed number of units. I DO NOT want to hear that an in-wheel motor company deals exclusively with a single auto company! That just prevents other (better?) auto companies from getting the in-wheel motors they need!
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Dave 5:00PM (1/23/2008)
Zap rhymes with full of CRAP.
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ug 3:31AM (1/24/2008)
"I can understand an auto company saying that they will deal exclusively with an in-wheel motor company to get them to produce their motor for a guaranteed number of units. I DO NOT want to hear that an in-wheel motor company deals exclusively with a single auto company! That just prevents other (better?) auto companies from getting the in-wheel motors they need!"
This is the way a lot of this stuff is coming down, like with battery contracts. It's good for the individual companies but not for the public.
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ug 3:31AM (1/24/2008)
Volvo is a good business deal if PML thinks dicking around with prototypes for the next 10 years is a good deal.
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john 5:34PM (1/23/2008)
Dang, the last i heard zap was making electric hub bicycles. If they get made in china like post #4 says, zap will be crap.
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Mort 5:38PM (1/23/2008)
I'll never buy a chinese made car or scooter. China builds crap for quality.
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Domenick 6:15PM (1/23/2008)
Thanks for the clarification, Lascelles. I'm under the impression the the PML motors are very (and I mean VERY) expensive and not quite ready for prime time in terms of robustness.
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Pinaki Joadder 1:02AM (2/01/2008)
Volvo kicks ass.
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