Posted by Staff

Front Range electric-motor maker UQM Technologies Inc. said it has received an initial order for about 50 of its electric propulsion systems from an unidentified “international automobile manufacturer” for use in a test fleet of vehicles.

The order of the company’s PowerPhase systems is part of the automaker’s vehicle-development activities, Frederick-based UQM (NYSE Amex: UQM) said.  The buyer is building a test fleet for evaluation and that introduction of the vehicle is targeted for 2012.

The value of the order was not disclosed.

Deliveries under the initial order are scheduled for late 2010 and early 2011, and UQM said it has “quoted delivery and price for over 25,000 systems” if the vehicle goes into full production.

“We consider our selection by this international automobile manufacturer to be a significant development and further confirmation of our position as a leading supplier of electric propulsion systems to this emerging market,” William Rankin, UQM’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

UQM manufactures electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers for the automotive, aerospace, military and industrial markets.

The company last year was awarded a $45 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support electric-car development. Earlier this year Vice President Biden visited
UQM’s Longmont plant as part of a tour touting the benefits of the federal stimulus program.