UQM Technologies
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFormer American manufacturer of electric motors, generators, motor controllers, and electrified propulsion systems.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
UQM Technologies was an American engineering and manufacturing company focused on electric propulsion and power-conversion equipment. Established in 1967 as Unique Mobility Inc., the company developed and supplied electric motors, generators, motor controllers, fuel-cell compressor systems, and hybrid-electric propulsion systems. Its principal base was in Longmont, Colorado, and its products were generally sold directly to original equipment manufacturers rather than through a conventional consumer retail network. The company emerged from the early development of electric and hybrid propulsion technologies. In the late 1970s, it was associated with the Unique Mobility Electrek, a small two-door, four-seat electric vehicle with a fiberglass-reinforced-plastic body. The Electrek used sixteen six-volt batteries and incorporated regenerative braking. Its reported target capabilities included a maximum speed of approximately 75 miles per hour and an urban range of approximately 75 miles. Although the vehicle was not a mass-market product, it illustrated the company’s early interest in complete electric-drive systems rather than isolated components. Over time, UQM concentrated increasingly on supplying propulsion subsystems to vehicle manufacturers and technology developers. Its PowerPhase product family combined an electric motor with associated power electronics and controls for use in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, buses, marine craft, and demonstration platforms. Applications mentioned in connection with the company included Zenith Motors shuttle vehicles, Hino electric city buses, Proterra electric buses, and marine projects developed by RegenNautics. UQM technology was also used in high-profile demonstration vehicles, including the Audi A1 e-tron concept, the Rolls-Royce 102EX Electric Phantom concept, and Ruf Automobile’s electric conversion of a Porsche 911, known as the eRuf Model A. The company also pursued defense, aerospace, and fuel-cell-related applications. In 2003, the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research awarded UQM a $70,000 Phase I contract connected with the application of hybrid-electric propulsion to small military boats. In 2008, a Boeing crewed aircraft completed a historic flight using a fuel-cell power system that incorporated a UQM electric motor. These projects reflected the company’s strategy of applying compact, high-efficiency electric-drive technology beyond conventional road vehicles. UQM’s commercial profile received additional attention in 2010, when then-Vice President Joe Biden visited the company in connection with federal stimulus funding. The company had received $45 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, supporting its electric-drive manufacturing and development activities. UQM subsequently brought the PowerPhase Pro system into production in October 2011, marking an important transition from prototype and demonstration work toward serial production. UQM remained primarily a business-to-business technology supplier. Its customers and partners included vehicle manufacturers, bus developers, marine-system companies, and developers of experimental aircraft and fuel-cell platforms. Rather than building a large consumer-facing brand, it positioned itself as an engineering partner capable of adapting motors, controllers, and integrated propulsion units to specialized vehicle programs. Danfoss acquired UQM Technologies, with the transaction becoming effective on July 31, 2019. Following the acquisition, UQM ceased operating as an independent publicly recognizable company. Its technology and operations became part of Danfoss’s broader electrification and power-solutions activities. Accordingly, UQM is best treated historically as a specialized American electric-propulsion manufacturer and, after the acquisition, as a former standalone corporate brand.
History
UQM Technologies originated in 1967 as Unique Mobility Inc., an American company established to develop technologies for electric and alternative propulsion. It was based in Longmont, Colorado, and later operated under the UQM Technologies name. From its early years, the company pursued electric-drive systems that could be applied to complete vehicles and specialized platforms. One early demonstration of this work was the Unique Mobility Electrek, associated with the company in the late 1970s. The Electrek was a two-door, four-seat electric vehicle with a fiberglass-reinforced-plastic body. It used sixteen six-volt batteries, regenerative braking, and a reported maximum speed and urban range of roughly 75 miles. The project illustrated UQM’s early focus on integrating batteries, motors, controls, and vehicle systems. UQM later developed a business model centered on supplying propulsion technology to original equipment manufacturers. Its products included electric motors, generators, motor controllers, power electronics, hybrid systems, and fuel-cell compressor systems. The PowerPhase family became the company’s principal electric-propulsion platform. These systems were adapted for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, buses, marine equipment, and experimental transportation projects. The company’s technology appeared in a range of commercial and demonstration applications. PowerPhase systems were associated with Zenith Motors shuttle vehicles, Hino electric city buses, Proterra electric composite buses, and RegenNautics marine projects. UQM motors were also used in concept and specialty vehicles, including the Audi A1 e-tron, the Rolls-Royce 102EX Electric Phantom, and Ruf Automobile’s eRuf Model A, an electric Porsche 911 conversion using a 150 kW PowerPhase motor. UQM also pursued defense and aerospace opportunities. In 2003, the Office of Naval Research awarded the company a $70,000 Phase I contract concerning hybrid-electric propulsion for small military boats. In 2008, a Boeing crewed aircraft completed a fuel-cell-powered flight using a UQM electric motor, extending the company’s technology record beyond road vehicles. Federal support became an important part of UQM’s expansion during the late 2000s. In 2010, Vice President Joe Biden visited the company to promote $45 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funding received by UQM. The company subsequently advanced its production programs, and the PowerPhase Pro system entered production in October 2011. UQM remained an engineering and manufacturing supplier rather than a consumer vehicle brand. Its direct OEM relationships allowed it to provide configurable motors, controllers, and integrated propulsion systems for customers with different performance, packaging, and duty-cycle requirements. Its activities covered automotive, commercial transportation, marine, military, aerospace, and fuel-cell-related applications. Danfoss acquired UQM Technologies in 2019, with the transaction effective July 31. The acquisition ended UQM’s existence as an independent company and placed its capabilities within Danfoss’s wider electrification business. UQM is therefore historically significant as an early specialist in electric and hybrid propulsion, but it is no longer an active standalone brand.
- 2019
Acquired by Danfoss
[1]Danfoss completed its acquisition of UQM Technologies on July 31, ending UQM’s status as an independent company.
- 2011
PowerPhase Pro enters production
[1]The PowerPhase Pro propulsion system entered production in October 2011.
- 2010
Federal stimulus support highlighted
[1]Vice President Joe Biden visited UQM in connection with the company’s $45 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.
- 2008
Fuel-cell aircraft flight
[1]A Boeing crewed aircraft achieved a fuel-cell-powered flight using a UQM electric motor.
- 2003
Hybrid marine propulsion research contract
[1]The Office of Naval Research awarded UQM a Phase I contract for work applying hybrid-electric propulsion to small military boats.
- 1970
Electrek electric vehicle project
[1]During the late 1970s, the company was associated with the Electrek, an early electric vehicle featuring battery propulsion and regenerative braking.
- 1967
Company established as Unique Mobility
[1]The company was founded as Unique Mobility Inc., the predecessor to UQM Technologies.
Products and positioning
Specialist supplier of high-efficiency electric-drive systems and power electronics for vehicle, marine, defense, aerospace, and industrial original equipment manufacturers.
Electric propulsion system
PowerPhase propulsion systems
UQM’s PowerPhase family integrated electric motors, power electronics, and control functions into propulsion systems intended for OEM vehicle programs. The systems were used or demonstrated in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, buses, marine applications, and specialty platforms. Rather than being marketed primarily to consumers, PowerPhase products were supplied as adaptable drivetrain technology to manufacturers and system integrators.
Production electric propulsion system · 2011
PowerPhase Pro
PowerPhase Pro was a production-oriented member of UQM’s electric propulsion portfolio. It was designed for integration into commercial and specialty vehicle platforms and entered production in October 2011. The system represented UQM’s effort to move beyond prototype demonstrations into repeatable OEM supply programs.
Electric drivetrain components
Electric motors and motor controllers
UQM developed high-efficiency electric motors and associated motor controllers for vehicle, marine, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. These components could be supplied individually or incorporated into broader propulsion assemblies, allowing OEM customers to adapt the technology to different voltage, power, packaging, and duty-cycle requirements.
Fuel-cell equipment
Fuel-cell compressor systems
Fuel-cell compressor systems formed part of UQM’s alternative-energy portfolio. The company’s electric-motor expertise supported applications in which electrically driven compression and power management were required for fuel-cell systems, including aerospace demonstrations and other specialized transportation projects.
High-power electric motor
150 kW PowerPhase motor
UQM supplied a 150 kW PowerPhase motor used by Ruf Automobile in the eRuf Model A, an electric conversion of a Porsche 911. The application demonstrated the use of UQM’s high-power motor technology in a performance-oriented specialty vehicle.
Brand decisions
2019
Accept acquisition by DanfossM&ABackground
UQM operated as a specialist electric-propulsion supplier while the market for vehicle electrification was becoming increasingly consolidated around larger industrial and automotive technology groups.
Action taken
Danfoss acquired UQM Technologies in a transaction effective July 31, 2019.
Aftermath
UQM ceased operating as an independent company and its capabilities became part of Danfoss’s broader electrification activities.
2011
Put PowerPhase Pro into productionProduct launchBackground
UQM had supplied propulsion technology for prototypes, demonstrations, buses, and specialty vehicles and sought to establish a more repeatable OEM manufacturing business.
Action taken
The company introduced the PowerPhase Pro system into production in October 2011.
Aftermath
The move marked a shift toward serial production and broader commercial deployment of UQM’s integrated electric propulsion technology.
Recent events
- 2019
Danfoss acquires UQM Technologies[1]
M&A
Danfoss acquired UQM Technologies in a transaction that became effective on July 31, 2019, ending UQM’s operation as an independent company.
- 2011
PowerPhase Pro enters production[1]
Product launch · Product generation
UQM’s PowerPhase Pro electric propulsion system entered production in October, representing a move from development and demonstration programs toward serial manufacturing.
- 2010
Joe Biden visits UQM in connection with federal stimulus funding[1]
Other
Then-Vice President Joe Biden visited UQM to highlight the company’s receipt of $45 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.
- 2008
Boeing completes crewed fuel-cell aircraft flight using a UQM motor[1]
Product launch · Other
A Boeing aircraft completed a notable crewed flight powered by a fuel-cell system incorporating an electric motor supplied by UQM.
- 2003
U.S. Navy awards UQM a Phase I hybrid-propulsion contract[1]
Other
The Office of Naval Research awarded UQM Technologies a $70,000 Phase I contract related to hybrid-electric propulsion for small military boats.
Sources2 sources
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