General Motors has revealed its group of three all-new motors that will power its Ultium-based EVs in the future.
Ultium Drive combines electric motors and single-speed transmissions to apply power – generated by Ultium battery cells – to the wheels of GM’s upcoming electric vehicles. GM will lead the design and development of Ultium Drive’s modular architecture.
Designed by GM, the 180-kilowatt front-drive motor, 255-kW rear-M and front-drive motor, and 62-kW all-wheel-drive assist motor are part of Ultium Drive. The in-house calibrated motors ensure the highest level of performance in Ultium-based EVs. The motors were built as a scalable family, sharing design principles and similar tooling and manufacturing strategies.
The 180- and 255-kW units are permanent magnet motors designed to minimise reliance on heavy rare earth materials, while the 62-kW unit is an induction motor. All are expected to offer excellent torque and power density, enabling a wide spectrum of vehicle types, from performance cars to work trucks.
As many as three electric motors can be used in one EV – variations of the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV will feature three separate 255-kW motors, yielding a GM-estimated output of 1,000 horsepower1.
Software Development
The company has also developed the software for Ultium Drive’s motor controllers, which is key to serving the propulsion needs of various vehicle types with a minimal set of components. These engineers who developed the software are based at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, Global Propulsion Systems in Pontiac, Michigan, and Milford Proving Ground and are part of the nearly 11,000 GM product development team members currently working in software development. This number is projected to grow, with software serving as a critical pillar of GM’s vision of an all-electric future.
According to the vehicle maker, the software behind its EV motors can be reused in many applications, providing fast go-to-market times and the foundation for future EV expansion, as these motors are versatile enough to provide the power needs for a complete lineup of vehicles.
The company also designed the software of crucial power electronics components – like the power inverter module or inverter, which converts DC voltage from the battery to AC voltage to power the motor. The Hummer EV’s 0-60 mph acceleration in a GM-estimated approximately three seconds – Watts to Freedom mode2 –is primarily due to its electric drive software expertise in addition to its critical competencies in motor controls, power electronics, motor design and development, the company said.
Mark Reuss, President, GM, said, 'Twenty years of electric drive system development and more than 100 years of high-volume vehicle engineering are helping GM pivot quickly from conventional vehicles to EVs. Our vertical integration in this space, encompassing both hardware and software, helps give us control over our own destiny and a significant competitive advantage.'