New Ultium GM Electric Motors Power Hummer EV

General Motors President Mark Reuss revealed the company’s all-new electric motors for their Ultium-based EVs.

These motors were designed in-house, with a 180-kilowatt front-drive motor, and 255-kW for the rear wheels rear-M. The last of the 3 electric motors revealed was a smaller 62-kW all-wheel drive assist motor.

“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,” Reuss said at the conference sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber. “Our vertical integration in this space, encompassing both hardware and software, helps give us control over our own destiny and a significant competitive advantage.”

The 180- and 255-kW units are permanent magnet motors designed with the aim of minimizing reliance on heavy rare earth materials while the 62-kW unit is an induction motor.

Up to three electric motors can be used in one EV as seen in some of the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV models. The Hummer will feature three separate 255-kW motors, giving the big SUV around 1,000 horsepower¹.

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ABOVE: New GM Electric Motors in the New Hummer EV SUV

Ultium Drive software development
GM engineers developed the software for Ultium Drive’s motor controllers. The team was split across GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, Global Propulsion Systems in Pontiac, Michigan, and Milford Proving Ground. Around 11,000 GM product development team members are currently working in software development.

The team used artificial intelligence and machine learning to find the best ways to distribute torque in three-motor systems in the GMC HUMMER EV, allowing the extremely off-road capable vehicle to also drive comfortably on surface streets. These lessons will be rolled out as more EVs are developed.

The team also developed software for other complements such as lthe power inverter module, which converts DC voltage from the battery to AC voltage to power the motor. The HUMMER EV’s 0-60 mph acceleration is around three seconds in “Watts to Freedom mode”. This is a huge milestone in software expertise in motor controls, power electronics, motor design and development.

The inverter and other power electronics, like the accessory power module and onboard charging module, reside outside of the drive units on GM’s current EVs. In Ultium-based vehicles, they will be integrated directly into Ultium Drive units, reducing cost and manufacturing complexity.

Some power electronics will have as much as 50 percent less mass and volume than today’s GM equivalents, with as much as 25 percent more capability.

GM’s all-new EV motors and integrated power electronics, contained within its Ultium Drive units, will debut on the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV later this year.

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