Protean Electric is a U.S.-headquartered clean technology company that has developed an in-wheel motor, electric drive system for light duty vehicles. Protean was founded in 2009 after PML Flightlink was put into administration in 2008. It is a private company whose major investor is Oak Investment Partners of Palo Alto, Calif.
Protean’s in-wheel motor system is marketed under the name Protean Drive™. The motors each produce up to 110 horsepower (81kW) and peak torque of 590 ft.-lbs. (800nm). The design of the motor consists of an external rotor and internal stator with regenerative braking and power electronics packaged inside the motor. The use of these motors can add torque, power and fuel economy to light duty vehicles when included as part of an electric vehicle (EV), hybrid (HEV) or plug in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain configuration.
According to Protean Electric, the in-wheel motors can be added to vehicles already on the road to augment existing engine and drivetrains in addition to future vehicles engineered by automakers.
Protean Electric is based in Troy, Mich., United States, with offices in the UK and Germany.