UT-Battelle LLC, which operates the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has awarded UQM Technologies Inc. a $293,000 contract to develop an advanced traction motor for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies (FCVT) program.

The FCVT program supports research into component technologies that will enable emission and petroleum-free cars and light trucks. UQM’s effort will be focused on high-performance, energy-efficient permanent magnet traction motors with materials and configurations that reduce manufacturing costs.