UQM Technologies Inc. has been awarded a $1.08 million contract supplement to a U.S. Air Force contract to convert a conventional one-half ton pickup truck to all-electric operation using an optimized configuration of currently available technologies.

The supplement expands the project to include development of an electronic motor/generator controller based on high operating temperature silicon carbide power-switching modules. The controller will be tested in at least one of the Air Force's hybrid electric vans, buses and/or in the lithium ion-powered pickup truck that UQM is building.