A top Department of Energy official got a close look Friday at a Longmont electric-motor plant to which the agency has provided funding.
Acting DOE Undersecretary Arun Majumdar toured UQM Technologies’ new $7.6 million manufacturing plant that gives the company capacity to commercially produce electric motors and components.
When completed, the Longmont plant will be able to produce electric-drive systems and power electronics and processors for up to 120,000 electric-drive vehicles annually.
The plant has the flexibility to produce systems for light-duty hybrids, plug-in hybrid electrics and all-electric passenger vehicles as well as heavy-duty hybrid trucks and buses.
A $45.1 million stimulus grant — which UQM has been matching dollar for dollar — allowed UQM to buy and renovate the 130,000-square-foot facility.
“At the Department of Energy, we are strongly committed to making the United States a leader in producing the advanced technology components and vehicles that are creating manufacturing jobs in Colorado and across the country,” Majumdar said in a statement.
Earlier this month, UQM landed a contract to supply propulsion systems for a fleet of 100 UPS all-electric delivery trucks.
UQM also has a 10,000-motor deal with electric-car maker Coda Automotive of Santa Monica, Calif.
DOE’s support has helped UQM to accelerate “the viability of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles,” said UQM chief executive Eric Ridenour.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
