Improvements in the range and performance, and reductions in the cost will help accelerate market acceptance of electric vehicles. Advancing the technology of the electric propulsion system is the key to improving these important electric vehicle characteristics. The Ford Motor Company is well along on a research and development program, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Program, to develop a second generation advanced electric vehicle propulsion system suitable for use in a small commercial van. This paper discusses this program, characteristics of the concept that is being developed, and includes descriptions of the major subsystem components and the status of the program. The components discussed include: the system controller, dc-to-ac inverter, transaxle and battery. The transaxle, the heart of the concept, includes an interior permanent magnet ac motor and two-speed automatic transmission (with an integral final drive and differential) concentrically mounted on a common axis, that is integrated into a compact unit integral with the rear axle of the vehicle. (A)
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