Quantum Announces Advanced High Performance All-Wheel Drive Diesel Hybrid Electric Drive System

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. announced that it has introduced a fuel efficient, high performance diesel hybrid electric powertrain, "Q-Force," after six (6) years of development. This advanced, proprietary 4-wheel drivetrain can be configured for specialized military as well as commercial applications.

The first application of Quantum Q-Force is in a JP-8 fuel compatible diesel engine-based, battery dominant, series-hybrid electric military Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV). A number of pre-production prototypes that incorporate Q-Force have been successfully developed and built for testing and evaluation by selected commands to assess mission suitability, supportability, performance objectives, and guidance on final vehicle configuration. In one configuration, the diesel engine produces 75 horsepower, the electric motor, 133 horsepower, and the powertrain yields 5,463 foot-pounds of torque after gear reduction.

Features of Q-Force include: Sophisticated System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, incorporating Quantum’s proprietary algorithms; hybrid control system that minimizes battery size through optimized charge controls and regenerative braking; optimized engine operation/calibration and generator performance; and an advanced traction motor/transmission system.

Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum said, "Our innovative diesel hybrid electric all-wheel drive system provides high performance, acceleration and extended range, resulting in significant advantages for the U.S. Army in communications, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance missions. We believe that Quantum’s Q-Force drivetrain is also very well-suited for commercial applications including homeland security, border patrol, park service operations, and light-duty automobiles."