UQM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (NYSE MKT:UQM), a developer of alternative energy technologies, announced today that its PowerPhase® electric drive system is powering the Hino electric city-bus, featuring their ‘Poncho’ low floor bus platform, already deployed in Japan.
As part of this deployment, Hino has placed the new electric city-buses in service at the Hamura City and Tokyo Sky Tree tourist locations. Hino expects to put more buses in service this year as new routes are established in cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
“We have worked with Hino on this electric bus project for some time and it is extremely rewarding to have the buses put into public service,” said Eric R. Ridenour, UQM Technologies’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are seeing growth in the electrification of the commercial-vehicle market, such as this program with Hino, as well as our volume-production passenger-car systems. We are well prepared to meet technology and production needs of a wide range of customers.”
The Hino electric buses are powered by the UQM PowerPhase Select® 200 systems, comprised of a power-dense electric motor and advanced controller. Together, the system provides an extremely efficient electric powertrain that is well-suited for commercial vehicles. The systems are rated at 900 Nm of peak torque, 200 kW of peak power, and 115 kW of continuous power.