The following article is obtained from here.
Québec Premier Philippe Couillard announced at the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos, a research and development initiative between the Gouvernement of Québec, Hydro-Québec (with its subsidiary TM4), PSA Peugeot Citroën and Exagon Motors.
Their goal is to develop a new high-performance electric drivetrain that will be manufactured by TM4 in Québec.
“TM4 will act as the developer of the electric powertrain in the pre-development phase of the project.
During this process, TM4 will develop a new, highly efficient and high performance drivetrain. This system will be a state-of-the-art evolution of the TM4 MOTIVE series, consisting of permanent magnet electric motors and power electronics. Specifically designed for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles, these systems are effective turnkey solutions created expressively for electric vehicles. This new powertrain will be designed and manufactured at TM4’s headquarters in Boucherville, Quebec.”
The government promised $10 million (CAD) equity interest and a $6 million (CAD) loan for the project, while HydroQuébec will contribute another $4 million (CAD). In total, the project will cost nearly $31 million (CAD) .
Our concerns of commercialization of the product arose when we found that the $31 million is only for a feasibility study, but hopefully companies like PSA will introduce some high-performance plug-in DS-series model using those drivetrains.
“The resulting joint venture will bring together PSA Peugeot Citroën, French SME Exagon Motors, Investissement Québec and Hydro-Québec subsidiary IndusTech. Its first mission will be to conduct a feasibility study for an estimated CAD 30.8 million. In an initial phase, the study could lead to the development of components for high-performance electric vehicles.”
“PSA Peugeot Citroën would lend its expertise in integrating the electric vehicle components, for which it would become the main customer for worldwide distribution.“
The Québec electric drivetrain project seems to have many supporters:
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said:
“My government intends to make Quebec a standard-bearer in the campaign to electrify transport. Our commitment to the project announced today and our 2015-2020 Transportation Electrification Action Plan are another milestone in the drive to develop the electric car sector, and they will help to spread a culture of innovation throughout Quebec.”